Differentiation of worker‐derived intercastes and precocious imagoes after queen removal in the Neo‐Guinean termite Nasutitermes princeps (Desneux)

Numerous female workers underwent a beginning of sexualization in an experimentally orphaned colony of the Neo‐Guinean termite N. princeps (Desneux). This led to the development of intercastes, displaying variable mosaics of worker, nymph, and soldier characteristics. The developmental pathways of these intercastes were studied with the help of multivariate techniques that revealed two main lines, one ending in a new “giant soldier” morph, the other proceeding toward the differentiation of nymphal characters, i.e., wing pads and compound eyes. It is not known whether these individuals might ultimately have become functional. Precocious adults resulting from a shortened nymphal course were also present, and one young replacement queen had already begun laying eggs.