34 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FORESTS. 
are the three successive stages of larva, pupa, and adult, although 
termites pass through pupalike “ quiescent’”’ stages in the molting of 
larve and nymphs, with temporary periods of mactivity. Further- 
more, great variation is possible in the metamorphosis, as is seen in the 
development of “ neoteinic”’ or ‘‘supplementary”’ reproductive forms, 
as the “neotenes’”’ and “ergatoids.’”’ Therefore, in general, termites 
may be classed with insects having “incomplete metamorphosis,” 
as the locusts and roaches. In this type of development the form of 
the body is always essentially the same as that of the adults. The 
development of the larva and nymph to the winged sexed adult ter- 
mite greatly resembles the development of the locusts and roaches. 
In the genus Leucotermes there is no apparent metamorphosis in 
the case of individuals of the worker caste. The freshly hatched 
worker larva is active, there being a very simple development. The 

Fic. 10.—Leucotermes flavipes: Quiescent stage of molting larvee. Enlarged 10 times. 
( Original.) 
change from larva to adult is a gradual growth, the white, large- 
headed larva passing through a series of quiescent stages and molts. 
The adult worker is of a dirty grayish-white color. In the soldier 
caste and the reproductive forms the metamorphosis is more com- 
plicated, and marked changes in form occur during the development. 
Young molting larve in the ‘quiescent stage’? were first observed 
by the writer on August 11, 1911, near Jerseyville, Ill., in a large, 
wide, longitudinal channel in the decaying heartwood of the butt of 
a white cedar telegraph pole.? Previous to the molt the larva falls 
over on its side and passes through a quiescent stage, the head being 
bent down to lie on the ventral side of the body along which the 
antenne and legs, also, lie extended in a backward direction. This 
gives the larva the appearance of being doubled up (fig. 10). After 
the skin has been shed the larva resumes its normal activity. 


a$trickland, E. H. Loe. cit. 
b Snyder, T. E. Changes during quiescent stages in the metamorphosis of ter- 
mites. Science, n. s., vol. 38, No. 979, pp. 487-488, October 3, 1913. 
