Cuticular hydrocarbons of Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) and their role as potential species- and caste-recognition cues

The cuticular hydrocarbon components of four castes of Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) have been identified and quantitated. Components identified include n-alkanes; 2-, 3-, 11-, 13-, and 15-methylalkanes; 11,15-dimethylalkanes, (Z)-9-alkenes; (Z,Z)-7,9-dienes; and (E/Z)-6,9-dienes ranging in carbon number from C sub(21) to C sub(40). All caste forms of R. virginicus contained the same components, but showed caste-specific proportions. Comparison of these hydrocarbons with those of the sympatric termite R. flavipes (Kollar) suggest that cuticular hydrocarbons might serve as species-and caste-recognition cues. A bioassay was developed to test this species-recognition hypothesis, with the experimental results supporting the hypothesis.