Effects of juvenile hormone analogues upon soldier differentiation in the termite Reticulitermes santonensis (Rhinotermitidae,Heterotermitinae)

Under the influence of juvenile hormone analogues (JHAs), termite workers are induced to differentiate into soldiers. In Reticulitermes santonensis, such induced differentiation is often incomplete, resulting in intercaste production. The morphology of the structures most affected during differentiation was analyzed descriptively and biometrically in normal workers, presoldiers, and soldiers, and in experimental intercastes. We observed that intercastes form a morphological and biometrical continuum between workers and presoldiers (presoldier intercastes), and between presoldiers and soldiers (soldier intercastes). We also compared the biochemistry of the normal individuals and of the intercastes; in contrast to workers, the intercastes possess a frontal gland secretion which differs from those of the presoldiers and soldiers. Besides intercaste characterization, we consider the mode of action of JHAs in termite differentiation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.