Impact of orphaning on field colonies of Southeast Asian Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) andM. carbonarius (Hagen) (Termitidae, Macrotermitinae)
Neoh, K.B.; Lenz, M.; Lee, C.Y.
Insectes Sociaux 57(4): 431-439
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-1812 DOI: 10.1007/s00040-010-0101-6
Accession: 063936898
Field colonies of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) and M. carbonarius (Hagen) were experimentally orphaned to examine their potential for producing replacement reproductives. Orphaned colonies were investigated only once for caste composition at selected time intervals at 3, 6, 9 or 12 months after orphaning. Of the 38 orphaned colonies of M. gilvus, 15 colonies (39.5%) re-established. In M. carbonarius, three colonies out of 20 (15%) re-established. Re-established colonies were headed by adultoids which were morphologically indistinguishable from primary reproductives.