Intercolony agonism in the subterranean termite Odontotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Termitidae)

In the laboratory, termites from two colonies of Odontotermes formosanus were placed in a 8.0 cm diameter glass Petri dish with filter paper (8.0 cm diameter) together in 5 blending proportions in order to study the agonism among two colonies of O.formosanus. The results showed that the most drastic tussles were observed among the workers, soldiers and two castes from the two colonies. The tussling degree was the most drastic during the first 0.5h. The tussling results were related to the caste and number of termites. Moreover, nutritional condition, colony age and colony size were the possible factors which could influence intercolony agonism. These results indicated that colony fusion in O.formosanus could not happen in nature.