Termites group size affects termitophiles survival: Exploring the Constrictotermes–Corotoca relationship

Abstract

Termites are social insects that form large groups and share complex behaviors among nestmates to promote the well-being of their colony members. The benefits of living in termite groups can also be appealing to non-related organisms, such as termitophiles, which directly benefit from interactions with termites by being fed, cared for and protected. To date, no study has investigated whether the benefits associated with life in large termite groups extend beyond the termites themselves and benefit other associated opportunistic organisms. Here, we evaluated the effect of the host termite group size of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Blattaria: Termitidae) on the survival time of two species of termitophilous beetles of the genus Corotoca Schiødte, 1853 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Survival bioassays were conducted with termitophiles confined with different group sizes of termite workers. We observed that termite group size is an important factor for the survival of both tested species of termitophiles. Overall, the mean time to death of termitophiles increases with the size of the termite group. Our results suggest that the benefits associated with being in larger termite groups may potentially extend beyond the host species and mitigate negative effects for their guests.