Abstract:

The organization of termite societies depends predominantly on pheromones produced by exocrine glands, which induce and modulate individual behavioral responses. The phagostimulating pheromone produced by the labial glands of termites induces feeding termites to gather and feed at the same spot of a food source, so a termite colony can exploit the food source faster and more efficiently during the communal food exploitation of the termite colony. Hydroquinone has been identified as a phagostimulating pheromone, and it has been considered that all the Isoptera produce and employ hydroquinone as phagostimulating pheromone, irrespective of taxonomic position and biological traits. This paper summarizes the secretor, species specificity, biological significance, biosynthetic pathway and application in termite control of the phagostimulating pheromone in termites.

Key words: Termite, labial gland, phagostimulating pheromone, hydroquinone