Behavior and reproductive biology of the primary reproductives of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Primary reproductives or alates of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, swarm from April-June in Louisiana. About 1200 pairs were set up during 1999 and 2000 using agar and birch sawdust medium. Mating was observed and recorded. The tail to tail mating lasted an average of 28 seconds. Over 400 of these pairs were observed for egg laying, egg hatch and incipient colony development. Four discrete oviposition cycles with intervening periods of rest were observed over a period of two years. Average number of eggs in the first batch was 39. Both ovaries and testes increased in size with age. After an initial slow growth total progeny increased over fivefold towards the end of the second year. Multiple matings were essential to obtain maximum reproductive potential. Removal of the progeny during active egg laying induced increased oviposition. Understanding the reproductive biology of the Formosan subterranean termite is a key to the development of novel approaches for management of this pest.