trophallaxis
/ˌtrɒfəˈlaksɪs
/noun [mass noun] Entomology
The mutual exchange of regurgitated liquids between adult social insects or between them and their larvae.Direct interactions are the ‘obvious’ interactions: antennation, trophallaxis (food or liquid exchange), mandibular contact, visual contact, chemical contact (the odor of nearby nestmates), etc....
- Second, we quantified the rate of trophallaxis, that is, oral exchange of liquid food between individuals.
- Typical nest behaviors, such as aggression and trophallaxis, were not observed among aggregating wasps.
Origin
Early 20th century: from tropho- 'nourishment' + Greek allaxis 'exchange'.