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Reticulitermes sp. - Subterranean termite
Rhinotermitidae
Northern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

Unlike ants which have complete metamorphosis (with a grub-like larval stage and a quiescent pupal stage), termites have incomplete metamorphosis where the young termites more gradually aproach maturity through a series of fully mobile nymphal instars.

 
USA CA: Lake Co.  McLaughlin U.C. Reserve.  30.iv.2005  38º51.76'N 122º24.94'W, 600m
Riparian forest, under log. 


This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.