Write an account on the Social Behaviour in Apis and Termites. (IAS 2019/20 Marks)

Introduction:

Social behavior in insects, such as Apis (honey bees) and termites, is a fascinating aspect of their biology. These insects exhibit complex social structures and behaviors that are essential for their survival and success as a colony.

Social Behavior in Apis (Honeybees)

1. Division of Labor

• Caste System:
  
  • Queen: The sole reproductive female responsible for laying eggs.
  • Workers: Non-reproductive females; perform nursing, foraging, hive maintenance, and defense.
  • Drones: Males responsible for mating with virgin queens.
• Tasks are age-dependent among workers (age polyethism).

2. Communication

• Dance Language:
  
  • Waggle Dance: Communicates direction and distance of food sources.
  • Round Dance: Indicates nearby food sources.
• Pheromones:
  
  • Released by the queen to suppress worker reproduction and maintain colony unity.

3. Cooperative Brood Care

• Workers feed larvae with royal jelly, honey, and pollen.
• Protect the young by regulating temperature and removing debris from the hive.

4. Defense Mechanisms

• Use of stings by worker bees to protect the colony.
• Alarm pheromones released during threats to alert others.

5. Nest Building

• Construct wax combs from secreted wax glands.
• Hexagonal cells maximize space and resource efficiency.

Social Behavior in Termites

1. Division of Labor

• Caste System:
  
  • Queen: Primary reproductive female, lays thousands of eggs daily.
  • King: Reproductive male, aids the queen.
  • Workers: Sterile individuals responsible for foraging, feeding, and nest maintenance.
  • Soldiers: Sterile individuals specialized for colony defense with strong mandibles or chemical sprays.

2. Communication

• Pheromones: Regulate caste differentiation and alarm signals.
• Tactile and Vibrational Communication: Use antennae and vibrations to signal danger or coordinate tasks.

3. Cooperative Brood Care

• Workers feed and care for larvae, as well as the queen and king.
• Engage in trophallaxis (exchange of food and symbiotic gut microbes) for colony nutrition.

4. Defense Mechanisms

• Soldiers use powerful jaws or chemical sprays (e.g., formic acid) to protect the colony.
• Some species create barriers or seal-off parts of the nest when under attack.

5. Nest Building

• Build complex nests (termitaria) using soil, saliva, and feces.
• Some species create large mounds with ventilation systems for temperature regulation.

Comparison of Social Behavior

Conclusion:

The social behavior of insects such as Apis and termites is a fascinating area of study that highlights the importance of cooperation and organization in the success of a colony. By working together and dividing labor among different castes, these insects are able to thrive and ensure the survival of their species.