Date Presented
Spring 5-18-2024
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Dr. Ziesmann
Second Advisor
Dr. Savage
Third Advisor
Dr. Styrsky
Abstract
Termite aggression is a complex area of study with many factors of influence. We hypothesize that the environment, particularly levels, has an impact on termite aggression in Reticulitermes. Nest CO2
levels are higher for termites, which gives the basis for our experiments. We tested behavior in both ambient air and a higher CO2 environment. Soldier termites release alarm pheromones from frontal glands to trigger aggression responses in nestmates. We tested a combination of chemicals that should mimic alarm pheromones on a spinning nail to simulate a predator. Using EthoVision we calculated the speed, distance to the chemical, activity near the chemical, and total distance moved. We concluded that the alarm pheromone mix caused an increase in activity near the chemical from one quadrant to the next compared to the control of acetone. We also found that elevated CO2 decreased the amount of activity levels near the chemical compared to ambient air.
Recommended Citation
Blair, Abigail, "Factors Impacting Aggression in Reticulitermes" (2024). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 295.
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/utcp/295