PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 22, XO. 6, JUNE, IQ2O 121 



become greatly distended and, while these queens are able to move 

 about, they are practically (in case of species of Reticnlitennes) 

 a charge of the workers. It is not known how long a time is 

 required for queens to reach their maximum post-adult growth 

 probably a matter of many years in species of Reticnlitennes. 



Queens of species of Temwpsis and Kalotermes, our largest and 

 most primitive living North American termites, have a remark- 

 ably small post-adult growth as compared to queens of the smaller 

 and more specialized species of Reticulitermes. These more prim- 

 itive termites are more active; since they do not live in the ground, 

 they can not retreat to subterranean galleries and they are more 

 exposed to the light. These reproductive forms of species of Ter- 

 nwpsis and Kalotermes represent a generalized, primitive, ances- 

 tral type, possessing the more independent habits of the non- 

 social insects. In progressing to the higher termites, the queens 

 become more specialized, more dependent and less active. 



Habits of the Reproductive Forms. 



For several days after the swarm and consequent deflation, 

 pairs of young first form adults of species of Reliculitermes in the 

 eastern United States may commonly be found under small pieces 

 of decaying wood lying on the ground suddenly disappearing 

 into shallow cells excavated in the ground or into similar cells in 

 wood. In these cells copulation takes place and in them the first 

 brood of young is reared. On account of unfavorable moisture 

 conditions, many pairs fail to survive, even after escaping their 

 numerous animal enemies at the time of the swarm. 



After several broods have been reared a process which be- 

 comes more rapid and frequent after the first brood is full grown, 

 the colon}- branches out, extending galleries through the wood 

 and soil underneath. Factors of temperature and moisture greatly 

 affect the colony life and activity is regulated in accordance with 

 these conditions. There is a seasonal variation not only in the 

 predominance of the castes in the colony but also in their posi- 

 tion in the galleries. On pleasant days during the warm spring 

 months previous to the swarm, in colonies of species of Rcticnli- 

 termes in the eastern United States, the nymphs of the reproduc- 

 tive forms, the young and eggs are to be found in the outer 

 layers of the colonv where they will receive the benefit of the 



* J j 



warm sun. 



The mature reproductive forms of the wood-boring subter- 

 ranean species may be found either in the earth or in the wood, 

 depending upon the season of the year and the climate of the 

 locality in which the species lives. During warm weather they 

 are usually above ground in the wood. In winter they are below 



