Os cupins são insetos sociais pertencentes à ordem Isoptera e constituem um dos grupos de invertebrados dominantes em ambientes terrestres tropicais. Atualmente, existem cerca de 2.900 espécies descritas, que estão distribuídas em sete famílias: Mastotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Rhinotermitidae e Termitidae. A região neotropical engloba 537 espécies, e dessas, aproximadamente 300 ocorrem no Brasil e pertencem às famílias Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae e Termitidae. Apesar dos isópteros serem bastante conhecidos pelo seu potencial como praga, o papel ecológico dos térmitas no ambiente é primordial, visto que desempenham o papel de consumidores primários e/ou decompositores nos ecossistemas naturais. Esses insetos participam ativamente na trituração, decomposição, humificação e mineralização de uma variedade de recursos celulósicos. Uma grande diversidade de material orgânico, em vários estágios de decomposição, pode servir de alimento para os cupins, incluindo madeira (viva ou morta), gramíneas, plantas herbáceas, serapilheira, fungos, ninhos construídos por outras espécies de cupins, excrementos e carcaças de animais, liquens e até mesmo material orgânico presente no solo (húmus). Essa vasta gama de fontes alimentares permitiu aos cupins ocuparem quase todas as regiões quentes e temperadas da Terra, ocorrendo em praticamente todos os ambientes terrestres, naturais ou modificados pela espécie humana. Portanto, os isópteros são encontrados nas matas tropicais e temperadas, cerrados, savanas, caatingas, restingas, mangues, campos, culturas, pastagens e cidades.

Termites are social insects belonging to the order Isoptera and constitute one of the dominant groups of invertebrates in terrestrial environments of the tropical region. Currently, there are around 2,900 species described in seven families: Mastotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. The Neotropical region contains 537 species, and from these, approximately 300 occur in Brazil and belong to the families Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae and Termitidae. Although the Isoptera has been known by their potential as pest, the ecological role of the termites in the environment is primordial since they play a role as primary consumers and/or decomposers in natural ecosystems. These insects participate actively in the crushing, decomposition, humus production and mineralization of a variety of cellulose-based resources. A great diversity of organic material, in several stages of decomposition, may serve as food for termites, including wood (sound or decayed), grass, herbaceous plants, litter, fungi, nests built by other termite species, dung and carrion, lichen and even organic material present in the soil (humus). This vast range of food sources allowed the termites to occupy almost all the tropical and temperate regions of the Earth, occurring practically in all the terrestrial environments, natural or modified by the human species. Therefore, termites are found in the tropical and temperate forests, cerrados, savannas, caatingas, shallow places, mangrove regions, low vegetation stems, crops, pastures and urban environments.

O cupim subterrâneo Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) é uma importante praga na economia brasileira, causando danos em reflorestamentos de eucalipto e plantações de cana-de-açúcar. O (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodecatrien-1-ol tem sido descrito como feromônio de trilha em várias espécies da família Rhinotermitidae. Este trabalho teve como objetivo sintetizar este trieno e determinar, através da eletroantenografia, a seletividade e sensibilidade dos receptores antenais de H. tenuis ao (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodecatrien-1-ol e ao seu respectivo extrato de glândula esternal.

The subterranean termite Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a pest of great importance for the Brazilian economy as it causes serious damages in commercial reforestations of Eucalyptus spp. and sugarcane cultures. (3Z,6Z,8E)-Dodecatrien-1-ol has been identified as a pheromone of some species of subterranean termites. The objective of this research was to synthesize (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodecatrien-1-ol and determine by electroantennographic (EAG) bioassays the selectivity and sensitivity of H. tenius antennae to its whole worker extract and to the synthetic triene alcohol.

Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858) is a subterranean termite that cause damage in forests, crops and urban areas. The population and foraging territory of an urban colony were determined using triple mark-release-recapture technique. Foraging population was estimated in 134,583 ± 5,803 individuals. The foraging territory encompassed an area of 175,5 m² and the maxim linear foraging distance was 36 m.

A survey of the leg exocrine glands in the termite workers of 16 species of the families Kalotermitidae and Termitidae was carried out through scanning electron microscope. Glandular openings were not found in the legs of Anoplotermes sp., Ruptitermes sp. (Apicotermitinae, Termitidae) or Glyptotermes planus (Kalotermitidae), but they are present, spread over the ventral surface of the first, second and third tarsomeres of other Termitidae such as Armitermes euamignathus, Cornitermes cumulans, Nasutitermes coxipoensis, Rhynchotermes nasutissimus, Syntermes nanus, Embiratermes festivellus (Nasutitermitinae), Amitermes beaumonti, Hoplotermes amplus, Microcerotermes sp., Neocapritermes opacus, Orthognathotermes sp., Spinitermes brevicornutus and Termes sp. (Termitinae). The pores are usually isolated but they can also be grouped inside a round depression. The occurrence of leg exocrine glands in the family Termitidae is reported for the first time.

The histological study of the exocrine glands in the swarming females showed the presence of tergal glands, mandibular glands, salivary glands and sternal glands. Tergal and sternal glands are not developed in the physogastric queens, probably, because of a regression process. The development of mandibular glands is similar in swarming females and physogastric queens.

Frontal weapon is the term used to designate the apparatus consisting of frontal gland and associated structures that participate in the chemical defense of termite soldiers. The ultra structure of the frontal gland and the scanning microscopy of the soldier head was investigated in the termite Amiitermes euamignathus Silvestri, 1901.Campaniform sensilla was not observed but there were 80 to100 sensory bristles around the frontal pore. The glandular epithelium shows only class 1 cells according 10 the classification of NOIROT & QUENNEDEY (1974, 1991). The glandular cells are characterized by apical microvilli, a basal labyrinth and a large quantity of smooth endoplasmic reticulum which forms dense zones throughout the cytoplasm. The secretion is concentrated mainly in the basal pole of the cell and consists of large lipid droplets. The secretory epithelium is covered by a thick apical cuticle composed of a thin outer epicuticle, a layer of epicuticular filaments and a dense procuticle. The cytological results concerning the frontal pore showed a reduced cuticle and the presence of a subcuticular space where the lipid droplets are accumulated. The lack of class 3 cells and the presence of an intrinsic musculature are two anatomical features of the A. euamignathus frontal gland that will be important in the phylogenetic relationships of the Nasutitermitinae.

Groups of Heterotemies tenuis (Hagen, 1858) from five infestation points were paired in bioassays to investigate the intercolony aggression. The combinations of arena sizes (Petri dishes of 6.0 and 9.0 cm) and temperatures (25 and 28 ºC) were assessed for effects on intraspecific agonism. Agonistic behavior was scored positive in arena if more than half of the starting number of termites was dead and injured after 17 hours. After the intraspecific encounters it was possible to delimitate three colonies from the five infestation points. No significant differential survival was seen in two different arena sizes and two different temperatures. These assays indicate that the factors governing the agonistic behavior in H. tenuis are complex and seems to be dependent on environmental conditions and individual characteristies (age, size and caste).

The digestive tube of workers of Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858) e Coptotermes havilandi Holmgren, 1911 was analysed under the anatomical view. The digestive tube of both species did not show conspicuous diferences in relation to the morphology, morphometry and the configuration of the digestive tube that were the aspects studied. The general organization of the digestive tube of these species show several similarity with other lower termites previously analysed.

Heads of soldier termites belonging to the species Embiratermes festivellus (Silvestri, 1901) (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) and Spinitermes brevicornutus (Desneux, 1904) (Termitidae, Termitinae) were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Individual glandular openings are present in the upper part of E. festivellus head and correspond to class 3 glandular cells. Campaniform sensillae occur in both termite heads, but this sensorial structure was not observed in the nasus extremity of E. festivellus soldier.

Foram estudados os ovários e as glândulas mandibulares de Apis mellifera mantidas em condições artificiais e foi observado que em pequenos grupos (menos de 20 abelhas) os órgãos analisados não se desenvolveram.

The ovaries and mandibular glands in workers of Apis mellifera under artificial conditions were studied and was observed that in small groups (less than 20 bees) the analyzed organs did not develop.