Differences in Alarm Responses in Drywood and Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae and Rhinotermitidae) to Physical Stimuli

Alarm response triggered by physical stimuli is wide spread in termites but executed in several different behavioural patterns. The drywood and subterranean termite species tested in this study differed significantly by either head-drumming or jerking when stimulated by light, air-flow, or air borne sound stimuli. Nevertheless, differences may have a common evolutionary base. Repetitive stimuli of the same quality led to reduced responses over time, which was interpreted as habituation behaviour, a simple form of learning. Adaptation as alternative explanation was ruled out because when termites were subjected with a dis-habituation-stimulus followed by the original stimulus full response occurred again to this stimulus.