Acta Entomologica Sinica (2002) 45, 487-493

Yuan-Zhi Liu, Xin-Fu Peng, Guo-Qing Tang and Xiao-Tao Peng (2002)
Development and differentiation of various castes in the immature stage of Reticulitermes chinensis
Acta Entomologica Sinica 45 (4), 487-493
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.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Reticulitermes chinensis