Groups Of Termites Research Articles

Termites and subsocial roaches inherited many bacterial-borne carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) from their common ancestor

Termites digest wood using Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZymes) produced by gut bacteria with whom they have cospeciated at geological timescales. Whether CAZymes were encoded in the genomes of their ancestor’s gut bacteria and transmitted to modern termites or acquired more recently from bacteria not associated with termites is unclear. We used gut metagenomes from 195 termites and one Cryptocercus, the sister group of termites, to investigate the evolution of termite gut bacterial CAZymes. We found 420 termite-specific clusters in 81 bacterial CAZyme gene trees, including 404 clusters showing strong cophylogenetic patterns with termites. Of the 420 clusters, 131 included at least one bacterial CAZyme sequence associated with Cryptocercus or Mastotermes, the sister group of all other termites. Our results suggest many bacterial CAZymes have been encoded in the genomes of termite gut bacteria since termite origin, indicating termites rely upon many bacterial CAZymes endemic to their guts to digest wood.

Process and mechanism of termite impact on soil and plant.

Termites, as a kind of nesting social insects, are often confused as worldwide "pests" because some of their groups have great destructive effects. The vast majority of termites can regulate ecosystem functions and ser-vices by participating in biogeochemical cycles, known as "ecosystem engineers". We reviewed studies on the effects of termites on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of mound soil ecosystems and the composition and diversity of plant communities. Termites could form unique soil "biogenic aggregates" and "resource heterogeneity patches", which affect microbial community structure, extracellular enzyme activity, physicochemical property and greenhouse gas emission, thereby affecting plant growth, community composition and structure, and vegetation productivity. However, this effect significantly differed among termite groups and functional groups, and was dependent on regional soil environment and microclimate conditions. Meanwhile, termite-mound could effectively improve ecosystem adaptation or resistance to environmental stress through the above process. Future research should focus on the following directions: 1) studying the trophic cascading effect of termite-centered soil multilevel biological network and the potential effect on biogeochemical cycle from microscale (aggregate level) to macroscale (landscape level); 2) exploring the potential of termite mound soil as a fertility amendment in tropical regions, and mining beneficial microbial functional genes to develop related products for termite control.

Food quantity and the intensity of the alarm signal combine to modulate the resource selection in a termite species

Abstract Maximizing food intake while minimizing risk is an important trade-off in the foraging behavior of most animals. In general, foragers are vulnerable and the ability to trade off benefits (food quantity) against costs (risk of being killed) may provide a considerable ecological advantage. Despite the increasing number of studies, the effects of food quantity and mortality risk signals on resource selection in eusocial insect is not well understood. Here, we investigated the combination of distinct levels of food quantity and the intensity of alarm signal on resource selection of a Neotropical termite, Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Manipulative bioassays with binary and multiple choices were conducted over time to check the recruitment of termite groups among resources containing different levels of food quantity and alarm signals. Overall, our results showed that regardless of food quantity, termites avoid a food source if there is even a small amount of alarm signal. This work contributes to a better understanding of habitat use by termite species. Furthermore, it shows for the first time the combined effects of food quantity and alarm signals on the resource selection of an important ecological and economic termite species.

Caste composition contributes to improve the social immunity in a nasute termite species exposed to entomopathogenic fungus

Abstract The evolution of a reproductively altruistic caste contributed to the success of eusociality through the division of labour. In termites, the proportion of soldiers in the colonies increased throughout the group's evolution. In Nasutitermitinae, soldiers have a crucial role in defence, resource selection and foraging. However, the role of soldiers and workers in colony immunity is still poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the role of mixed caste groups in the social immunity of Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) exposed to the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.). We tested the hypothesis that the presence of workers and soldiers optimizes defence against pathogens, and this defence is increased when the soldier ratio is closer to what naturally occurs in colonies. Our results showed that mixed caste groups of N. corniger exposed to M. anisopliae survive longer compared to groups with only one caste. In addition, termite groups that died from fungi were less likely to show fungal infection in mixed caste groups. The behavioural observations suggest that in the natural proportion of soldiers, allogrooming and trophallaxis play a crucial role in the control of disease and its death hazard in termites. Soldiers may play an important role in colony immunity, being able to start the alarm signal indicating the threat of pathogens. Our results show that the presence of the two castes promotes possible mechanisms for socially mediated immunity. This study may help in the understanding of the function of the soldiers and workers and the significance of pathogens in termite eusocial evolution.

It is not only group size: Soldiers also modulate the tolerance to insecticide in termites (Blattodea: Isoptera)

AbstractThe survivorship of social insects is known to increase with group size, even in situations of stress, such as starvation and exposure to insecticides. However, in termites, studies have been undertaken only with workers, disregarding the possible effect of soldiers. The role of soldiers in the termite colonies goes beyond defense, mainly in Nasutitermes species. It is already known that soldiers initiate the foraging as well as improve the decision‐making of food resources. Here, we evaluated the effect of group size and the presence of soldiers on exposure to sublethal doses of the insecticide imidacloprid in Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). To do so, toxicity bioassays were undertaken initially to determine the dose of the insecticide required to kill 50% of the N. corniger population (LD50) to be used in the main experiments. Survival bioassays were then carried out with termite groups, with and without soldiers, in different sizes (6, 10, 14, 22, 26, 30 and 60), exposed and nonexposed to insecticide. In general, the mean time to death of termites increases linearly with group size. However, the mean time to death in groups with soldiers was significantly longer only in groups exposed to the insecticide. Our results indicate that soldiers can help to increase the tolerance of nasute termite groups to insecticides, in addition to the group size, as already shown in the previous study. The size of the group and social context could, therefore, modulate behavioral and/or physiological responses that enhance the ability to survive under stressful situations.

How to perceive the insecticide? The Neotropical termite Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) triggers alert behavior after exposure to imidacloprid

In eusocial insects, alarm signaling is used to inform nestmates about threats such as predators, competitors, and pathogens. Such behavior is important for the survival of colonies. However, studies evaluating the effect of insecticides on the alarm in termites have not yet been reported. Here, we inspected the effects of insecticide on alarm communication in Nasutitermes corniger. Specifically, we test the following hypotheses: (1) termite groups exposed to insecticide imidacloprid increase the body shaking movements, displaying an alert behavior; and (2) the alert behavior displayed after exposition to insecticide is dose dependent. Bioassays were conducted evaluating the body shaking movements and walking activity of termite groups exposed and non-exposed to insecticide. Thereafter, body shaking movements were evaluated in groups submitted to different doses of insecticide. In general, exposing termite groups to insecticide resulted in significantly higher body shaking movements compared to non-exposed groups. There was a positive effect of imidacloprid doses on the shaking movements. Walking activity, however, decreases in those groups exposed to the insecticide. Our results demonstrate the existence of ‘insecticide alert behavior’ in N. corniger and it appears to be a previously unrecognized communication mechanism in termites that allows for reducing the intoxication risks in the colony.

The ultrastructure of the rostral gland in soldiers of Verrucositermes tuberosus (Blattodea: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)

The soil-feeding habit is an evolutionary novelty found in some advanced groups of termites. The study of such groups is important to revealing interesting adaptations to this way-of-life. The genus Verrucositermes is one such example, characterized by peculiar outgrowths on the head capsule, antennae and maxillary palps, which are not found in any other termite. These structures have been hypothesized to be linked to the presence of a new exocrine organ, the rostral gland, whose structure has remained unexplored. We have thus studied the ultrastructure of the epidermal layer of the head capsule of Verrucositermes tuberosus soldiers. We describe the ultrastructure of the rostral gland, which consists of class 3 secretory cells only. The dominant secretory organelles comprise rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, which provide secretions delivered to the surface of the head, likely made of peptide-derived components of unclear function. We discuss a possible role of the rostral gland of soldiers as an adaptation to the frequent encounter with soil pathogens during search for new food resources.

Activity-density and spatial distribution of termites on a fine-scale in a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, southwest China

The community composition and activity-density of termites can influence nutrient cycling and other ecological functions. However, the spatial distribution and the activity-density of termites on a fine-scale in tropical forests are still unknown. We checked the spatial distribution patterns of the feeding groups and species of termites and their co-occurrence pattern in a 1-ha (100 m × 100 m) plot, and their correlation with the environmental factors. We used a standard protocol to collect termite assemblages and classified them into five feeding groups based on their preferred diet: fungus growers, litter feeders, soil feeders, soil-wood feeders, and wood feeders. We measured the environmental factors: soil pH, litter mass, aboveground plant biomass, and topographic position index (TPI). Soil-wood feeders showed the highest activity-density, followed by wood feeders, fungus growers, soil feeders, and litter feeders. Soil-wood feeders and fungus growers demonstated a strong correlation while litter feeders showed weak correlations with other feeding groups. Termite feeding groups and most of the termite species displayed a positive association with the high TPI and the low soil pH patches. Our results indicated that the examined environmental factors influenced the termite community assemblages and distribution patterns on a fine-scale in tropical rainforests.

MicroRNAs shape social immunity: a potential target for biological control of the termite Reticulitermes chinensis

Eusocial insects can employ various behavioural and physiological disease defences to avoid, resist and tolerate pathogen infections in their closely related and packed colonies, termed social immunity. Recent studies have shown that several molecules serve insect social immunity, including chemical odours, insect venoms, immune-related proteins, etc. However, whether and how microRNAs (miRNAs), whose precursors are processed by Dicer-1, drive social immunity in insect colonies is still unknown. Here, we used a ‘host–pathogen’ system (host: Reticulitermes chinensis; pathogen: Metarhizium anisopliae) to explore the impact of miRNAs on social immunity in termite colonies. We found that RNAi-mediated silencing of Dicer-1 led to decreased miRNA concentration, significantly inhibited carbohydrate and energy metabolism and affected other life processes, such as the immune response and oxidation–reduction reactions, in whole body of the termite. In behavioural defence, silencing Dicer-1 significantly diminished defensive social behaviours such as locomotion, grooming, cannibalism and burial in termite groups when encountering fungal contamination. In physiological defence, Dicer-1 silencing and miR-71-5 stimulation resulted in significantly decreased antifungal activities of termites. Furthermore, both Dicer-1-silenced and miR-71-5 stimulant-treated termite groups exhibited a high level of mortality during fungal contamination. Our findings demonstrated the important role of miRNAs in shaping social immunity in termite colonies, providing insights necessary to understand the potential mechanisms underlying behavioural and physiological disease defences in insects and hence laying the groundwork for miRNA-based pest control.

Detrimental Effects of Metabolic Gas Accumulation within Termite Bioassay Arenas

Effects of metabolic gas accumulation on termite behavior in tightly sealed laboratory bioassay arenas were compared with arenas with partial air exchange, or open ventilation. Laboratory studies with termites are often conducted in glass or plastic arenas. These studies can last from a few days up to 12-16 weeks or longer. Based on personal observation and published laboratory studies, how tightly study arenas are sealed is not consistent. In some instances arenas are tightly sealed with impermeable rubber stoppers or tight-fitting lids. In other studies, arenas are covered with semi-air-permeable Parafilm®, or loose-fitting aluminum foil or ventilated lids to allow air exchange. Generally, arenas are covered and not completely open to the air, thereby maintaining high moisture requirements needed to avoid termite dehydration. In this study, to determine metabolic gas accumulation and gas effects on termite groups collected from two field colonies, bioassay arenas were capped with either tightly sealed metal lids, semi-air-permeable Parafilm, or stainless steel mesh to allow non-restricted ventilation. Gas concentrations in these arenas and termite behavior and mortality were determined over time. During the study no visible ataxic termite behavior or significant mortality was observed within Parafilm or stainless-steel-mesh capped arenas. In contrast, tightly sealed arenas quickly accumulated significantly more metabolic gases compared with the other arena configurations, causing obvious abnormal termite behavior within 96 hours after these arenas were sealed. Within 8 to 10 days 100% moribund or dead termites occurred in tightly sealed arenas, whereas termites in semi-permeable membrane or non-restricted ventilated arenas were behaving normally. Excess gas accumulation in tightly sealed arenas first elicited negative effects between 96 and 144 hours. Our results show that tightly sealed bioassay arenas must be avoided, even for short-term studies lasting only a few days, as metabolic gases accumulate rapidly, causing negative effects on termites beginning within 4 to 6 days.

Taxonomic and Ecological Notes on Termes propinquus Holmgren, 1914 Known from Sumatra (Blattodea: Termitoidae: Termitidae).

The genus Termes Linneus, 1758 consisting of a total of 24 valid named species known from the Old World, is a very heterogeneous group of termites and seems to involve many taxonomic obscurities and confusions. In the island of Sumatra, the sixth-largest island located in the Southeast Asian tropics, four species of Termes have been found, namely, T. comis, T. laticornis, T. rostratus, and T. propinquus. Termes propinquus is also known from Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan and Sumatra), Malaysia, and Thailand. However, previous authors have mentioned that T. propinquus has been poorly discriminated from the other congeners, especially T. rostratus. Therefore, the present study aimed at clarifying the discrimination of Termes propinquus from the morphologically similar congeners from Sumatra. A total of 14 nests were collected using a standardized sampling protocol and visual colony searching in Sumatra and its adjacent island. As a result of a careful morphological examination of the soldier caste, T. propinquus was discriminated from the three other congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: distinctly long frontal projection, larger head capsule, and 2nd antennal segment distinctly longer than the 3rd. The redescription of the soldier caste of T. propinquus and a key to Termes species known from Sundaland are provided. The nests of T. propinquus were attached to the bases of living trees, clinging to stumps or the bases of the dead tree, or were epigeal.

Spatial structure of rainforest termites: Two matched pioneering cross‐continental case studies

AbstractTermites are vital parts of the soil biota in tropical regions, but their spatial ecology is barely studied. Here, termites were surveyed in two one‐hectare plots, to investigate spatial patterns of soil‐dwelling termites in old growth rainforest. Ecological interactions tested were as follows: (1) environmental relationships; (2) termite feeding groups; and (3) termites and predatory ants. The studies were in Africa (Gabon, Ivindo) and in Asia (Malaysia, Sabah, Danum Valley). In both locations, the wood‐feeding termites had an aggregated spatial structure at fine scales, while the humus‐feeding termites had a continuous distribution. Environmental variables were similar, but only two associations were consistent across sites. Termite feeding groups along the humification gradient were consistently disassociated. Significant associations were detected between predatory ants and termites in both sites: however, their scale and direction differed. This shows that the termite‐mediated ecosystem processes associated with wood‐ and humus‐feeding termite were provided at similar spatial scales, but that for humus‐feeding termites the intensity varied due to differences between the two plots. Competition at the functional level may be an important interaction, the nature of which is affected by resource availability, which is more limiting for wood‐feeding termites. We hypothesize that predation by ants may be important, but the structure of these relationships varies between the two study plots. All of these preliminary patterns need to be tested in fully replicated studies, but future studies may be constrained due to the sampling effort being so great for even a single survey.Abstract in French is available with online material.

The Functional Evolution of Termite Gut Microbiota

Termites primarily feed on lignocellulose or soil in association with specific gut microbes. The functioning of the termite gut microbiota is partly understood in a handful of wood-feeding pest species, but remains largely unknown in other taxa, preventing a global understanding of the functional evolution of termite gut microbiota. Here, we sequenced the gut metagenomes of 145 termites and Cryptocercus kyebangensis, a representative of the sister group of termites. We show that the prokaryotic fraction of the gut microbiota of all termites possesses similar genes for carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolisms, in proportions varying with termite phylogenetic position and diet. The presence of a conserved set of gut prokaryotic genes implies that key nutritional functions were present in the ancestor of termites and Cryptocercus. Furthermore, the abundance of these genes largely correlated with the host phylogeny. Finally, we found that the adaptation to a diet of soil by some termite lineages was accompanied by a change in the stoichiometry of genes involved in important nutritional functions rather than by the acquisition of new genes and pathways. Our results reveal that the composition and function of termite gut prokaryotic communities have been remarkably conserved since termites first appeared >150 million years ago. Therefore, the “world smallest bioreactor” has been operating as a multipartite symbiosis composed of termites, archaea, bacteria, and cellulolytic flagellates since its inception.

Do chewing cues from drywood termites mediate recruiting for wood colonization?

AbstractDrywood termites, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae), are eusocial insects living and foraging in groups inside pieces of wood, in which they perform a suite of behavioral traits ranging from individual to coordinated group activities. Vibroacoustic cues play important roles in behavioral mediation during defense and foraging activities. However, termite societies also exhibit other relevant behaviors, including substrate selection for colony establishment, which has received little attention. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that vibrational cues produced by termites inside pieces of drywood influence wood recruiting of conspecifics using dichotomous choice tests. In addition, we assessed whether the choice affects colony success (i.e., termite survival and wood consumption). Two behavioral activities were recognized among drywood termites colonizing wood galleries – walking and chewing. However, only the chewing cues overcome background noise, allowing acoustic signal characterization and playback tests; thus, they were the focus of our study. Overall, drywood termite groups exhibit random choice among wood‐testing unities, indicating that the chewing cues from the natural and/or playback signals are not used as a social trigger to mediate conspecific recruiting for wood preference and colonization. Nonetheless, the establishment of termite colonies in infested vs. non‐infested wood pieces led to better termite performance in the former, exhibiting higher wood consumption and survival.

Identification of fungus-growing termites and mutualistic Termitomyces from two provinces in Thailand

Fungus growing termites is a unique group of termites that can grow mutualistic fungi from Basidiomycota: Termitomyces inside their nest. This group of termites has an important ecological role as a major decomposer. However, comprehensive study of fungus-growing termites is limited in Thailand and the complex termites-fungus relationship is a challenging issue to study. This research was aimed to identify the species of termites and fungal symbionts using DNA barcoding, to compare the molecular results with morphological identification, and to gain insights into the co-evolutionary relationship by constructing co-cladogenesis analysis from the termites and the fungal symbionts. Four termite species (Macrotermes annandalei, Odontotermes feae, Ancistrotermes pakistanicus and Ancistrotermes sp.) from four Sakaerat and two Chulabhorn colonies were identified based on the BLAST-N of cytochrome oxidase sub-unit I (COI) sequence and morphological identification. The partial COI sequence of O. feae identified in this study is the first record of this species deposited into the NCBI nucleotide database. Molecular identification of the fungi were conducted by using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The results showed that those six termite colonies grew specifically the fungal genus Termitomyces. Three genetic groups of Termitomyces i.e. Group 1, Group 2 (T. cylindricus), and Group 6, were present among the six colonies. Molecular identification was confidently supported by morphological identification of termite samples, at least up to the genus level. High host-symbionts specificity is considerably observed within some clades on paired termite-fungus phylogeny. However, more sampling is needed for the more confident result.

Soldiers of the termite Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) increase the ability to exploit food resources

The performance of eusocial insect colonies is optimized by the division of labor among castes. Throughout the evolution of termites, there was an evident increase in the proportion of soldiers in the colonies. In derived termite species, the soldiers have a crucial role in defense and the initial phases of foraging. Here, we evaluated whether the soldiers of the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes corniger improve the foraging decisions. We tested the hypotheses that groups with soldiers (i) are more efficient searching for food, (ii) more efficiently recruit individuals, and (iii) a higher proportion of soldiers results in a more efficient balance between exploitation and exploration of food resources. Using behavioral bioassays under laboratory conditions, we show that the presence of soldiers in termite groups promotes a faster exploitation of the environment that allows them to encounter more food sources simultaneously. However, the presence of soldiers did not significantly increase the attraction of termite groups. Despite that, termite groups with higher soldier proportions were more able to perceive changes in the resource offerings by redirecting individuals to explore more profitable sources. Our results show that the role of soldiers in N. corniger increases the efficiency of termite groups in the exploration and exploitation of food resources.

First evidence of wasp brood development inside active nests of a termite with the description of a previously unknown potter wasp species.

Potter wasps (Vespidae: Eumeninae) are known to exhibit not only sophisticated preying strategies but also a remarkable ability to manipulate clay during nest building. Due to a mixture of plasticity in building behavior and flexibility in substrate preferences during nest building, the group has been reported nesting in a variety of places, including decaying nests abandoned by termite species. Yet, evidence of wasps nesting inside senescent termite mounds is poorly reported, and to date, accounts confirming their presence inside active colonies of termites are absent. Here, we address a novel intriguing association between two species from the Brazilian Cerrado: a previously unknown potter wasp (nest invader) and a termite species (nest builder). Besides scientifically describing Montezumia termitophila sp. nov. (Vespidae: Eumeninae), named after its association with the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), we provide preliminary information about the new species' bionomics by including (a) a hypothetical life cycle based on the evidence we collected and (b) a footage showing the first interaction between a recently ecloded wasp and a group of termites. In doing so, we attempt to provoke relevant discussions in the field and, perhaps, motivate further studies with the group. Finally, we describe a solution to efficiently detect and sample termitophilous species from termite nests, an intrinsic yet challenging task of any studies dealing with such a cryptic biological system.

Survival of Coptotermes testaceus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to Environmental Conditions (Relative Humidity and Temperature) and Preference to Different Substrates

Coptotermes testaceus (L.) (Rhinotermitidae) is a subterranean termite species that causes damage in urban and agricultural areas in the neotropics. Despite its economic importance, there are no studies on its basic biological aspects for laboratory management and the development of strategies for its control. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relative humidity, temperature, substrate moisture and preference to different wood substrates for the best C. testaceus survival under laboratory conditions. For this, a range of eight relative humidity (from 9 to 100%), three temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C), six substrates (Pinus sp, Cedrela odorata (L.), Cocos nucifera (L.), Eucalyptus urophylla (S. T. Blake), Haematoxylum campechianum (L.) and Tabebuia rosea [Bertol.] DC) and four substrate moistures, (0 to 60%) were tested. The results of this study indicated a significant effect of all factors on termite survival or termite preference. When tested independently, the highest survival percentage of C.testaceus was obtained with humidity of 100%, temperature of 20 °C, substrate moisture of 60% and the Eucalyptus urophylla substrate, reaching 83.33% survival at 21 days of observation. With these preliminary assays on small termite groups, it is concluded that with the appropriate percentages of humidity, temperature and substrate and the interaction of these three factors, further research can be conducted using larger termite groups in biologically relevant conditions, in order to study various aspects of C. testaceus biology.

The trail-following pheromone of the termite Serritermes serrifer

The Neotropical family Serritermitidae is a monophyletic group of termites including two genera, Serritermes and Glossotermes, with different way-of-life, the former being the sole obligatory inquiline among “lower” termites, while the latter is a single-site nester feeding on dry rotten red wood. Like the most advanced termite’s family, the Termitidae, the Serritermitidae is an inner group of the paraphyletic family “Rhinotermitidae”, but unlike the Termitidae, it has been poorly studied so far. In this study, we bring new insights into the chemical ecology of this key taxon. We studied the trail-following pheromone of Serritermes serrifer and we identified (10Z,13Z)-nonadeca-10,13-dien-2-one as the only component of the trail-following pheromone of this termite species, as it is the case in Glossotermes, the other genus belonging to Serritermitidae. This result makes the family Serritermitidae clearly distinct from other Rhinotermitidae, such as the termites Psammotermes and Prorhinotermes, that use (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol and/or neocembrene as trail-following pheromones.

ФИЗИОЛОГИЯ И БИОХИМИЯ ПИЩЕВАРЕНИЯ ТЕРМИТОВ РОДА ANACANTHOTERMES JACOBSON, 1904

The article provides research results on the physiology and biochemistry of the digestion system of termites of the genus Anacanthotermes. It should be noted that the salivary and intestinal enzymes play an important part in this process. The enzymes involved in the digestion of the studied insects are exclusively of the hydrolytic type. The data indicate that adult termites have 1.5 times as much exocellulase as young individuals do and 3 times more than nymphs, while the exocellulase in soldiers remains inactive. At the same time, no active carboxy cellulose and cellobiase was registered in any of the castes. It was found that the activity of maltase, sucrose, lactase is almost the same in all groups of termites. For the first time, the activity of lactase in the salivary gland was determined for different castes of the genus Anacanthotermes.