Media made from brown-rotted elm and pine wood for rearing Reticulitermes termites

Article Biology

King- and queen-specific degradation of uric acid contributes to reproduction in termites

Takao Konishi et al.

Summary: Caste-based reproductive division of labour in social insects is based on asymmetries in resource allocation within colonies. Kings and queens consume limited resources for reproduction, while non-reproductive castes help reproductive castes. Studying the regulation of resource allocation is crucial for understanding insect sociality, although the molecular background is poorly understood.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (2023)

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Article Entomology

Development of a standard medium for culturing the termite Reticulitermes speratus

Yuki Mitaka et al.

Summary: Termites play an important role in the natural environment as decomposers. To establish a stable termite breeding method, it is necessary to develop a standard medium for each termite species. In this study, a standard medium called brown-rotted pinewood mixed cellulose (BPC) medium was developed for culturing the termite Reticulitermes speratus.

INSECTES SOCIAUX (2023)

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Article Biology

Short and long-term costs of inbreeding in the lifelong-partnership in a termite

Pierre-Andre Eyer et al.

Summary: The importance of social life and lifelong partner choice. The effects of inbreeding on survival, productivity, and offspring resistance in termite incipient colonies. Microbial load is a key factor in successful foundation. Inbreeding benefits growth in the early stage but has negative consequences for offspring under pathogen pressure later on.

COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY (2022)

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Review Entomology

A Century of Synergy in Termite Symbiosis Research: Linking the Past with New Genomic Insights

Michael E. Scharf et al.

Summary: Termites and their symbiotic relationships with gut microbes have been studied extensively, with early research focusing on microscopy and organismal studies to understand the roles of symbionts in lignocellulose digestion. Advances in omic technologies have exponentially increased our knowledge of termite symbiosis, revealing the identities, functions, and interdependence of symbionts, as well as the complexities of host-symbiont complementarity. The merging of classical twentieth-century approaches with evolving omic tools is expected to provide even deeper insights into the interplay between hosts and symbionts.

ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, VOL 66, 2021 (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Soil organic matter is essential for colony growth in subterranean termites

Aaron Mullins et al.

Summary: The reliance of Rhinotermitidae on nitrogen-rich organic soil for optimal colony growth suggests that not all wood-feeding termites depend on symbiotic diazotrophic bacteria. The study highlights the trophic relationship between diazotrophic bacteria and subterranean termites rather than a purely symbiotic one. This reliance on soil microbial decomposition activity for colony growth may have played a critical role in the emergence of Termitidae.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Editorial Material Ecology