140 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 22, NO. 6, JUNE, 1920 



reproductive individuals of the second form, no reproductive 

 forms but only sterile workers and soldiers have been produced. 

 This seems to be the case in the two following experiments, 

 (Thompson and Snyder, 1919). 



The Rev. F. L. Odenbach received in September, 1900, a small 

 colony of termites (Neotermes castaneus Burm.) from Florida. 

 He placed these insects in an artificial nest and has continued to 

 make observations on their habits. On July 1, 1902, eggs were 

 found in the nest. In February, 1908, about 150 members were 

 present in the colony. In September, 1908, and again in June, 

 1909, reproductive forms were observed in the nest, much larger 

 than the other members of the colony, and some with an enlarged 

 abdomen, the body segments appearing as prominent chitinous 

 bands, due to distention, a characteristic of the older termite 

 queens. From Odenbach's description these were evidently re- 

 productive individuals of the second or third form; this will be 

 determined later, since at present it is not desirable to disturb 

 the activity of the colony. In December, 1910, approximately 

 200 individuals were in the nest. This colony was still alive in 

 September, 1917. Nymphs and soldiers, but no forms with wing- 

 pads nor any winged adults have been produced in this colony 

 after 17 years of breeding. 



On August 2, 1915, the writer received a colony of a termite 

 (Reticulitcnncs tibialis Banks) from Ivywild, Colo., found in a 

 scrub white oak, and consisting of workers, soldiers and nymphs. 

 On November 22, 1915, 3 females with abdomens considerably 

 distended and 2 males with slightly distended abdomens were 

 observed in the nest. These were reproductive individuals of 

 the second form and had greyish and yellow pigmentation in the 

 chitinized parts. While numerous eggs have been found every 

 month in the year in this artificial colony, maintained indoors, 

 and while the number of workers and soldiers has increased, no 

 forms with wing pads or wings have been produced up to De- 

 cember, 1918, after 3 years of breeding, and the colony is large- 

 several hundred members and healthy. 



On December 31, 1918, the wood in which this colony was lo- 

 cated was opened and a careful inventory was taken of the colony. 

 Four reproductive forms and young were observed. Since then 

 the colony has failed and a large number of workers died, prob- 

 ably due to this disturbance. 



On June 27, 1919, second form reproductive adults were still 

 living in the wood; very few workers were observed. The abdo- 

 mens of the reproductive forms had shrunken. 



On September 25, I'll'), only 2 second form adults were found 

 to be alive; the abdomens were shrunken but the pigmentation 



