Physiological changes during colony establishment in the termite Hodotermes mossambicus (Hagen): Water balance and energy content

The changes in dry mass, wet mass and energy content were determined during the establishment of the incipient colony. The winged reproductives of H. mossambicus are weak fliers. It is postulated that the alates compensate for the large quantity of reserve material by reducing their body water. The wet mass of both males and females increased significantly (twice original mass) from emergence until the first larvae appeared which tends support to this view. Furthermore, although the termites maintained in groups imbibed water, it is also clear that the reproductives, as long as they remain social, maintain the same low body-water content. This desiccated physiological condition appears to be and adaptation which assists flight and dispersal. In contrast with sterile eggs, fertile eggs absorbed water during development. The paired females (normal and homosexual) maintained the same energy/unit wet mass from egg production until the first workers appeared. Thus the possibility exists that the hydrophobic reserves (e.g. triglycerides) were converted to the hydrophilic reserves (e.g. carbohydrates). The same applied to the eggs and offspring.The changes in dry mass, wet mass, body water and energy content of females per unit of eggs (specific mass) produced were 0.005, 8.696, 21,276 and 12.820 respectively. The small specific dry mass value can probably be ascribed to the use of small amounts of glycerides and the increase in dry mass by the conversion from relatively light and “compact” glycerides to relatively heavy and “bulky” glycogen.Females utilised far more dry mass and energy in comparison to males to survive until the first workers appeared. Wet mass, body water and energy used in rearing of the offspring shows clearly that males made a larger contribution to the water and energy requirements of the offspring.