Defence systems of social insects toentomopathogenic microorganisms

白蚁，Coptotermes formosanusShiraki，单独饲养，是高度敏感的昆虫病原真菌，而白蚁饲养的群体是高度抵抗。结果表明，自理毛行为对分生孢子的清除效果较差，而相互理毛行为对分生孢子的清除效果较好，有时会导致攻击和同类相食行为。本研究的结果还表明，与病原体的接触会引起白蚁防病行为的变化。

Termites, Coptotermes formosanusShiraki, reared individually, were highly susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, while termites reared in groups were highly resistant. Our results suggested that self-grooming behavior isless effective, but mutual grooming is very effective in the removal of conidia from cuticles of their nestmates.Grooming behavior can at times lead to attack and cannibalism behaviors. The results of this study also indicated that contact with a pathogen induces behavioral changes in termite disease-prevention behaviors.