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[Vol. 89 
termite host is strongly suggestive for their role as integrating fac- 
tors. It also supports our earlier hypothesis that cuticular hydrocar- 
bons may serve as species recognition cues (Howard et al., 1978; 
Blomquist et al., 1979; Howard et al., 1980a; Howard et al., 1982). 
Behavioral evidence for this interpretation comes from the finding 
(Howard, unpublished observations) that live T. depressus placed 
into laboratory colonies of R. flavipes were killed by the termites 
within a 24-hour period (five observations). Similarly, the placing of 
live T.frosti into laboratory colonies of R. virginicus results in their 
being killed (five observations). Beetles can be freely exchanged 
among different colonies of their hosts however. These two Tri- 
chop senius spp. are nearly identical morphologically and behavior- 
ally, but differ markedly with respect to cuticular hydrocarbons. 
Similar transplants of workers or soldiers of R. flavipes or R. virgi- 
nicus into colonies of the other species also resulted in the death of 
the alien individual (five observations). Transplants of conspecific 
termites into different colonies did not produce agonistic interac- 
tions (five observations). As with the beetles, the two termite species 
are morphologically and behaviorally quite similar. We have shown 
that R. virginicus workers are antagonistic towards neutral, critical- 
point dried (CPD) conspecific workers treated with R. flavipes 
cuticular hydrocarbons (Howard et al., 1982), but are not aggressive 
toward CPD workers treated with R. virginicus cuticular hydro- 
carbons. While we cannot exclude the possibility of other biochemi- 
cal differences among either the beetles or their host termites, GC 
comparisons of total body extracts revealed none. 
The termitophiles associated with R. virginicus (in common with 
other termitophiles) possess many epidermal glands (Kistner, 1979) 
which have often been postulated to be a source of chemicals which in 
some manner aids in the integration of the beetles into the termite 
society. While we cannot rule out this interpretation, we would like 
to suggest an alternative hypothesis for the function of these glandu- 
lar products. Termitophiles are never found in great abundance 
(Wilson, 1971; Kistner, 1979), and the nature of termite nest-galley 
systems is such as to present substantial problems in the location 
and recognition of conspecifics. Perhaps these glands are producing 
pheromones directed at conspecifics rather than kairomones directed 
at their host. Since pheromones are usually produced in extremely 
