Environmental Entomology (1981) 10, 546-549

Ralph Howard and Michael I. Haverty (1981)
Seasonal variation in caste proportions of field colonies of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar)
Environmental Entomology 10 (4), 546-549
Abstract: When seasonal variation of caste proportions was quantified in 'nests' of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), workers comprised the most abundant caste, with a 2-year average of 84.0% of the individuals. Larvae comprised 8.7%, nymphs 5.0%, adult soldiers 2.1%, and presoldiers and neotenic reproductives 0.1% each. Alates and eggs were found infrequently. Caste proportions changed significantly with season, apparently varying according to the reproductive cycle. Larvae are most abundant in the summer and least abundant in the winter. Soldiers were most abundant immediately preceding alate flights, and least abundant immediately thereafter. Nymphs showed two peaks of abundance (early fall and early summer). Workers were most abundant during the spring and summer months.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Michael I. Haverty

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Reticulitermes flavipes		U.S.A. (mid S)