Termites defence

Propose mechanisms for the aldol and dehydration steps in 7. What are the structures of the intermediates and the the termite defence compound synthesis presented in the chapter, mechanisms of the reactions leading to this simple cyclohexenone ... 

D. E. Evans R. Baker P. E. Howse, The Chemical Ecology of Termite Defence Behaviour. In Chemical Ecology Odor Communication in Animals, F. Ritter, Ed. Elsevier, North-Holland Amsterdam, 1979 pp 213-223. 

Propose mechanisms for the aldol and dehydration steps in the termite defence compound synthesis presented in the chapter. 

Blum, M.S., T.H. Jones, D.F. Howard, and W.L. Overal Biochemistry of Termite Defences Coptotermes, Rhinotermes and Cornitermes Species. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 71B, 731 (1982). 

Epoxy-cis-eudesmane (300), the defence pheromone of the West African termite, has been synthesized from lO-epi-y-eudesmol (299) by means of an... 

Moth (Battus polydamus) larval defence Termite (Amitermes) alarm pheromone (OD-R)... 

The principal component of the defensive secretion of the termite soldiers Ancistrotermes cavithorax has been shown by spectroscopic methods and synthesis to be ancistrofuran (28). Further studies on the components of the defence secretion of the West African termite species Amitermes evuncifer have revealed the presence of the two bicyclic ethers (29) and (30) together with the... 

The isolation, structural elucidation, and total synthesis of insect pheromones continue to be a very active area of natural product research (c/. Vol. 8, pp. 66, 102). A recent paper in this area describes the identification of ancistrodial (36) and ancistrofuran (37) as components of the defence secretion of termite soldiers Ancistrotermes cavithorax). 

The coordination and integration of colony activities, in particular recruitment for foraging and defence, has been an essential contribution to the success of social insects the road to sociality was paved with pheromones (Blum, 1974). Pheromones play a central role in these activities and in other ftinctions such as recognition (of caste, sex, kin, colony, and species), caste determination, trophallaxis (mouth-to-mouth transfer of food), nest entrance marking and colony reproduction (Winston, 1992). Termites show convergent evolution of chemical signaling with the eusocial Hymenoptera. 

Major component of the defence secretion of the termite Acorhinotermes subfusciceps. 

The defence secretions of termite soldiers continue to prove to be a rich source of natural products, and knowledge of their chemistry has now far outstripped investigation of the precise functions of each compound. Some of the most complex structures come from species in the subfamily Nasutitermitinae, and structural relationships between the compounds have been used to suggest revisions to... 

The main predators of termites throughout the world are ants. Many species of ponerine ants are obligate predators in the tropics (see Chapter 15), and many ant species will take termites if they have the opportunity. As we shall see, termites rely on a combined defence of soldiers, nest structme, and worker building behavior. Away from the nest, or if the nest is breached by larger animals, the defence provided by the soldiers alone is rarely effective for long. 

The Nasutitermitinae is a subfamily in which chemical defence mechanisms are developed to an extraordinary degree allowing dense populations to exist in many areas of the tropics. Some species are so well-protected that they are able to forage in the open air forming long trails (e.g., Hospitalitermes, Triner-vitermes - Harvester termites). 

Baker, R., Briner, P. H. and Evans, D. A. (1978) Chemical defence in the termite Ancistrotermes cavithorax ancistrodial and ancistrofuran. Chem. Commun., 410-11. 

Howse, P. E. (1975) Chemical defence of ants, termites and other insects some outstanding questions. In Pheromones and Defensive Secretions in Social Insects (Noirot, C., Howse, P. E. and Le Masne, G., eds) pp. 23-40. University de Dijon. 

Mill, A. E. (1982) Foraging and defence in Neotropical termites (Insecta, Isoptera). Unpublished PhD thesis. University of Southampton. 

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