Incipient colonies of the eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar dispose all but one primary reproductive females if set up with multiple dealated males and females. Polygyny occurred in 6.5% of all colonies during the first four months, after eight months all incipient groups housed only a single queen. Two or three primary males have been found in 13% of all colonies over 2 years. Polygynous and polyandrous groups produced as much progeny as colonies with a single royal pair at a given time. Generally colony growth in R. flavipes was low, after 2 years approximately 1500 individuals (eggs, larvae, workers, soldiers) were present, in 4 years-old colonies approximately 2100 specimens were counted. The frequency of soldiers varied between 3.2% in 4 months-old colonies and 0.9% in 2 years-old groups. Primary queens reached a body mass of approx. 6.7 mg after 2 years and did not gain considerable weight between 2 and 4 years. The daily egg-laying rate reached its maximum after 2 years. First nymphs and young neotenics occurred for the first time in 2 years-old groups, a replacement apterous neotenic female had been found in a single 24 months-old colony. A simple statistical model was used to estimate the progeny of primary reproductive females over time.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (Eastern subterranean termite)
Keywords: Colony development, Colony growth
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