Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | The fresh weights, dry weights, water contents, energy contents and ash percentages have been measured in most casts and instars of Trinervitermes geminatus from the region of Lamto (Ivory Coast). The alate production was inferred from the percentages of nymphs in natural societies. The production of steriles was measured in laboratory reared subcultures containing 500 to 3000 individuals. The ratio P/B equals 2.2. The mean longevity of the workers has been estimated in three different ways with inconsistent results (from 70 to over 300 days). These results are discussed and a mortality table has been built, taking into account the main experimental results. Thus it is estimated that larval development takes place in 18 days, that the mean longevity is 78 days for small soldiers, 118 days for large soldiers and 180 days for large workers; and the corresponding P/B ratio equals 2.4; it rises to 2.62 if alate production is taken into account. The production is partitioned between reproductive, defensive and labouring functions;Trinervitermes geminatus is considered as a K strategist. © 1982 Masson. |
