Summary
Alates and primary reproductives were scarce in field colonies which were found in damp decaying logs and stumps on the forest floor. Colonies counted were found to be relatively small compared with those of higher termites and most were found to be headed by a pair or more of supplementary reproductives.
A strong correlation was found between headwidth and the number of larval plate ridges on the right mandible which indicated that inP. adamsoni the basic number of larval instars is seven. Pairs of supplementary reproductives held at constant temperatures of 15°, 20° and 25°C produced brood; brood production was inhibited at 28°C. Although 25°C was more satisfactory for the development of primary colonies, 20°C appeared to be more satisfactory for continued development of colonies.
Résumé
Les ailés et reproducteurs primaires sont peu nombreux dans les colonies trouvées sur le terrain dans les troncs et les souches décomposées sur le sol. Les colonies dénombrées apparaissent relativement petites par rapport à celles des termites supérieurs et la plupart possèdent des sexués de remplacement (une paire ou davantage).
La corrélation existant entre la largeur de la tête et le nombre des denticulations de la plaque molaire des mandibules montre qu'il existe 7 stades larvaires.
Les couples de reproducteurs supplèmentaires élevés au laboratoire à température constante de 15°, 20° ou 25°C produisent du couvain; la formation du couvain est inhibée à 28°C. Bien qu'une température de 25°C soit la plus favorable pour la fondation d'une colonie, la température de 20°C semble préférable pour un élevage de plus longue durée.
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Mensa-Bonsu, A. The biology and development ofPorotermes adamsoni (Froggatt) (Isoptera, Hodotermitidae). Ins. Soc 23, 155–165 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223848
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223848