Difference of trace elements is not a factor inducing intercolony aggression in Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Trace elements, as the basic materials and mediators in a series of biochemical reactions, are essential for the normal development of animals. Deficiency or imbalance of trace elements can induce changes of physiology in the animal body followed by various behavior deficits. In this study, the inter-colony aggression level of Coptotermes formosanus was evaluated with five field-collected colonies and one laboratory-reared colony. Meanwhile the correlation between aggression level and difference of concentration of the elements Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Pb, cd, and Cr in the workers from six colonies was analyzed. The results indicated that high aggression behavior occurred in some pairings of the six colonies, but no correlation existed between the aggression mortalities from all pairings and the absolute value differences of concentration of each element in the workers from the six tested colonies. It is suggested that the difference of concentration of the elements Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Pb, Cd, and Cr in workers is not a factor inducing inter-colony individual aggression in the C. formosanus.