X-ray computed tomography reveals that intraspecific competition promotes soldier differentiation in a one-piece nesting termite

Investment in soldier production in eusocial lineages involves a trade‐off between maintenance costs and defense benefits. Termites are eusocial insects that live in colonies organized into three castes: primary reproductives, soldiers, and workers or pseudergates. N eotermes chilensis ( B lanchard) ( I soptera: K alotermitidae) is a one‐piece nesting termite that nests and forages in a single piece of wood. Two scenarios may be of importance in...