THE EFFECT OF NONNESTMATES ON FORAGING TRAIL CASTE RATIOS OF NASUTITERMES CORNIGER (ISOPTERA, TERMITIDAE)

The mean number of workers on foraging trails of Nasutitermes corniger Motschulsky decreases after the introduction of nonnestmate conspecifics or congeneric heterospecifics. The mean number of soldiers on foraging trails does not vary when nestmates, conspecific nonnestmates or heterospecific workers are introduced. When heterospecific soldiers are introduced to the trail, however, the number of N. corniger soldiers increases, Consequently; the ratio of soldiers to workers increases. These findings demonstrate that the addition of nonnestmates temporarily alters caste ratios on foraging trails, representing a shift in the distribution of castes lit response to environmental perturbation.