Influence of environmental conditions on shelter tube construction in the Formosan subterranean termite

Title: Influence of environmental conditions on shelter tube construction in the Formosan subterranean termite

Authors: Payton Floyed, Joseph McCarthy, Qian Sun

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is one of the most destructive structural pests and is recognized as one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world. These termites construct nests underground with foraging tunnels extending up to 100 meters. When foraging above ground, they build protective shelter tubes on the sides of trees or walls. The below-ground tunneling behavior has been extensively studied, revealing influences of environmental conditions, such as temperature and food availability, on tunneling activity. However, there is a limited understanding of the environmental regulation of shelter tube construction. In this study, we examined how soldier presence and photoperiod influenced this behavior in C. formosanus. Our preliminary results showed that termites built more shelter tubes when 10% of soldiers were present than absent. Additionally, more tubes were constructed when colonies were exposed to constant light compared to constant darkness and light-dark cycles. The results suggest that soldiers may indirectly participate in shelter tube construction to reduce predation risk during foraging, and light is an environmental cue that induces the construction behavior.