›› 2002, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 487-493.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Development and differentiation of various castes in the immature stage of Reticulitermes chinensis

LIU Yuan-Zhi1, PENG Xin-Fu2, TANG Guo-Qing1, PENG Xiao-Tao2   

  • Online:2002-08-20 Published:2002-08-20

Abstract: The pseudo-worker and pseudo-nymph were recognized during the development and differentiation of the immature stage of Reticulitermes chinensis.The workers of 6th and 7th instars turned into the pseudo-workers,while the nymphs of the 4th and 5th instars turned into the pseudo-nymphs.Microscopic measurement showed that after hatching the main development stages consisted of a larval stage of two instars, a worker stage of more than six instars, a nymphal stage of four instars and an imago stage.The workers of 3rd-7th instars turned into the soldiers,the nymphs of the 6th instar turned into the scale and long-wingbud replacement reproductives, the nymphs of the 4th and 5th instars turned into the shortwingbud replacement reproductives,the workers of 4th-6th instars, pseudoworker and pseudo-nymph turned into the miniwingbud replacement reproductives and the workers of the 3rd-7th instars turned into the no-wingbud replacement reproductives. Based on these observations, a differentiation scheme of the various castes in Reticulitermes chinensis is proposed.

Key words: Reticulitermes chinensis, caste, development, differentiation