36 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FORESTS. 
mes), wherein, however, there may be several true queens % in the 
one colony and where polygamy exists. In insects supposed to 
represent the most primitive, or lowest and least developed, types 
this is a rather complex metamorphosis. Here also there is much 
variation in the life cycle and no strict rule is followed. (See chart.) 
Apparently the individual development is entirely subservient to the 
needs of the colony. This ability of adaptation of individual to 
circumstance leads to a complex economy. 
A representation: of some of the successive stages in the development of the various forms 
or castes in the life cycle of Leucotermes flavipes Kollar as found in colonies in the eastern 
United States. All these reproductive forms are not present in the same colony at the 
same time. 
Eggs. 
(A) (1) Young, undifferentiated larve. 

(B) (2) Large-headed larve that (3) Larve that will mature sexual (4) Reserves for emergency repro- 
will not mature sexual or- organs. ductive forms. 
gans. | 


(C) (5) Larveeof (6) Larvewof (9) Nymphs of (10) Nymphs (11) Reserves for emergency re- 
soldiers. workers. the first form ofsecond form productive forms. 
with long (Lespés) with 
wing pads. short wing 
pads. 
(D) (7) Soldiers. (8) Workers. (12) W inged, 
pigmented, 
sexed adults. 


(12) The true (14)Nymphal (15)Nymphal (16) Larval 
royal pair, neoteinic sub- emergency emergency 
with wing stitute repro- substitute substitute 
stubs. ductiveforms. reproductive reproductive 
forms. forms. 


1 See correlated forms of Leucotermes lucifugus Rossi. Grassi, B., Ein weiterer Beitrag zur Kenntnis des 
Termitenreiches. Zool. Anz, Bd. 12, No. 311, pp. 355-361, July 8, 1889. Ubersicht derim Termitenstaate 
vorkommenden Formen: Termes lucifugus, p. 360); id., Ein weiterer Beitrag zur kenntniss der Termiten- 
reiches. Ent. Nachr., Jahrg. 15, No. 14, pp. 213-219, July, 1889; Holmgren,N ., Termitenstudien 3. Syste- 
matik der Termiten- Die Familie Metatermitide. K. Svenska Vetensk. Akad. Handl., Bd. 48, No. 4, 
p. 148, Scheme B, Uppsala & Stockholm, 1912 (table showing parallel evolution and at what molts changes 
or development occur). 
PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NYMPHS. 
Colonies of Leucotermes spp. in the northeastern United States are 
dormant during the winter, the insects retiring to the more remote 

4John,O. Notes on some termites from Ceylon. Spolia Zeylanica, v. 9, pt. 34, 
p. 102-116, 1913. 
Riley, C. V. Termite economy. Proc. Biol. Soc., Wash., v. 9, p. 71-74, April, 
1894. . 
Escherich, K. Termitenleben auf Ceylon, Jena, 1911, p. 45-46. 
