Factors influencing secondary colony formation in Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) /
This study evaluated the effects of both abiotic and biotic factors on the development of supplemental reproductions in the subterranean termites, Reticulitermes. virginicus (Banks) and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). When small groups of R. flavipes or R. virginicus were isolated from the main co...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1999.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=731681691&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | This study evaluated the effects of both abiotic and biotic factors on the development of supplemental reproductions in the subterranean termites, Reticulitermes. virginicus (Banks) and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). When small groups of R. flavipes or R. virginicus were isolated from the main colonies replacement reproductions developed. Groups with as few as 50 pseudogates developed their own reproductions. Both species of termites were observed to prefer cooler temperatures in the range of 20 - 23°C and high humidities - 100% RH. When humidity was held constant and temperatures were varied, the termites lived longer, and lost less weight as temperature decreased. At a constant temperature, the termites survived longer as the humidity increased. Secondary colonies developed faster at 25 and 30°C than at 15 and 20°C. Groups of pseudergates held at the higher temperatures developed more replacement reproductions and soldiers, than groups held at 15 and 20°C. Termites collected in Spring were compared to groups that were collected in the Fall. There were no differences in the time or the mean number of castes that developed based on season of collection. Larger groups (maximum of 50 termites) produced more supplemental reproductions than smaller groups, but the results were not proportional to the group size. The time required to replace the primary female (queen) with a supplemental reproductive colony was 5.8 wk for R. virginicus and 6.6 wk for R. flavipes, respectively. It took 8.5 and 11.5 wk to replace the primary male. The presence of both a male and female reproductive in test groups inhibited the development of additional replacement reproductions. The presence of nymphs and soldiers did not effect the developmental time or the type of replacement reproductive that developed. There was a clear trend for the development of apterous neoteric reproductions (234 verses 15) as compared to other types of replacement reproductions. In summary, factors shown to influence the development of secondary reproductions were temperature, group size, and loss or removal of either the primary queen or king. The results also show that small isolated groups of termites could not only survive, but could develop into functional colonies within a few months. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Entomology". |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 120 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-117). |