High Exploration Behavior of Termite Propagules Can Enhance Invasiveness

Social life is usually associated with enhanced propagule pressure, which increases the chance of introducing several individuals during a single introduction event. insects are therefore among most successful invasive species, benefiting from rapid establishment and increased foundation success in new habitats. In termites, pressure may also be by development reproductive small group foraging workers. This suggests that exploration activity increase through an elevated transporting isolated groups foragers. Here, we analyzed behavior three termite species Reticulitermes genus, comparing flavipes (testing both native introduced populations) to grassei lucifugus . Different features representative capacity were measured 48 h, including: number tunnels, length foragers, interindividual distance foragers straight line or tunnels. Our results show compared R. populations dug more tunnels longer total length, spatially dispersed covered larger zone. These findings suggest ability have played role its invasion success, increasing higher human-mediated transport. addition, absence differences between behaviors facilitating worldwide this originated range.