Effect of phenol and its derivatives on the trail-following behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus(Blattodea:Rhinotermitidae)
[Aim]This study aims to investigate the effect of phenol and its derivatives on the trail-following behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus,and screen compounds that have the trail-following activity for C.formosanus,so as to provide new insights for developing termite attractants.[Methods]A Y-shaped path was drawn on qualitative filter paper,with the stem and one branch drawn with varying concentrations of phenol or 12 phenol derivatives,while the other branch was drawn with chemical-free acetone.The trail-following distance of C.formosanus workers and soldiers in response to each compound was measured and the tail-following behaviors of workers and soldiers were compared.[Results]Eight compounds,including phenol(0.05,0.5 and 5 μg/cm),p-chlorophenol(0.005,0.05,0.5,5 and 50 μg/cm),phenyl benzoate(0.0005,0.005,0.05,0.5,5 and 50 µg/cm),phenyl acetate(0.5,5 and 50 μg/cm),4-hydroxy benzaldehyde(0.5,5 and 50 μg/cm),2-phenylethyl methyl ether(5 and 50 μg/cm),ethyl phenyl ether(50 μg/cm),and 2-fluorophenol(0.5 and 5 μg/cm),showed the trail-following activities for C.formosanus workers(mean tail-following distance ≥3.0 cm).In addition,no significant differences were observed in the trail-following distance between worker and soldier termites along paths drawn with phenol(0.5 µg/cm),chlorophenol(0.05 μg/cm),or phenyl benzoate(0.5 μg/cm),and worker and soldier termites showed similar trail-following behaviors.[Conclusion]Phenol and multiple phenol derivatives have trail-following activities for C.formosanus.These compounds have different chemical structures from previously reported trail-following chemicals in termites,and have the potential to be used as termite attractants.
万方数据
维普
