A Re-Examination of the Development of Castes in Mastotermes Darwiniensis Froggatt (Isoptera).

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Abstract
The developmental pathways in mature field colonies of Mastotermes darwiniensis are morphologically distinguishable after the molt to the 2nd instar. One pathway leads through a total of 6 larval stages to the 1st worker stage. Later stage workers can molt to presoldiers or neotenics. The 2nd pathway leads through 11 reproductive nymphal stages to the alate. The larvae and early workers in field colonies are smaller than those of the same instar in incipient colonies; the instar is best judged from antennal segmentation. Workers may continue to molt indefinitely without differentiating. Soldiers in field colonies can develop from workers of an age equivalent to 2 yr in laboratory culture at 32.degree. C, and neotenics after the equivalent of approximately 18 mo. Larvae are short-haired, but the first 8 nymphal stages bear dense, long hair. The nymphal integument becomes pale brown by the 6th stage; wing buds are evident in the 4th nymphal stage. Eye pigment first appears in 6th-stage nymphs. The 9th and later stages have whitish integument and short hair. The alate has sparse, short hair, but the neotenic is long-haired; the integument of both is pitted. The working caste of Mastotermes is not pseudergate, nor are those of many other lower termites, including some kalotermitids; the working castes of lower termites should be referred to as workers.

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