Abstract: We separated groups of worker and soldier castes from mature or immature colonies of Reticulitermes chinensis and transferred them into big vessels after sub stitute reproductives occurred and laid eggs; then observed the development and rowth of colonies regulated by substitute reproductives. The results showed that thenumbers of individuals in the separated colonies underwent great fluctuation during the substitute repreductive development, and the survival rate was about 61.5%. The substitute reproductive colonies would then develop faster and the numbers in creased after a period of recovery on the basis of better survivorship. The substitutereproductive colony developed earlier, and it developed as the development of normal colonies. In experimental conditions, a colony of 100 to 300 individuals can differentiate into winged adults in mature age in 2 to 3 years after the substitute reproductive lays eggs. In the field, the development and growth of a natural colony will not be disturbed by the replacement of reproductives because of the large number of individuals, and the annual flying activity will not stop either. The sub stitue reproductive colony can produce substitute reproductive once more, and then there may appear substitute reproductive in wing-pad form.

Key words: Reticulitermes chinensis——substitute reproductive——colony deve- lopment