Numerous nymphoid reproductives were found in three field nests of Armitermes euamignathus collected in Brazil. We report here a morphological description and a biometric study of these individuals. Nymphoid replacements displayed narrow wing buds when compared with those present in nymphs from the three last instars. Thorax morphology of the nymphoids was similar to the penultimate nymphal instar (N4) or to the ultimate nymphal instar (N5), and their origin from these instars of nymphs is discussed. All the nymphoids had eyes, ocelli, and 15 antennal segments. The nymphoid females from nest 1 had different grades of physogastry and royal fat body. The nymphoid females from nests 2 and 3, the nymphoid males from all nests, and the primary king from nests 2 and 3 had a common fat body, which is similar to that present in alates. The ovaries and the testes of nymphoids were fully mature and the corpora allata larger than those in imagoes. The mandibular glands were also enlarged in nymphoids but the tergal glands were absent.

In this paper we examine the potential of the termites Armitermes euamignathus Silvestri: 1901 and Embiratermes festivellus (Silvestri, 1901) (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) to produce neotenics experimentally. Three nests of the mound‐building termite A. euamignathus, from the Brazilian cerrado, had their primary queens removed in August 1994. After 12 months, only one mound survived; it had a normal appearance. In this healthy, orphaned colony we found the primary king, six physogastric nymphoid female replacement reproductives, two ergatoid female replacement reproductives, 46 nymphs, several presoldiers, soldiers, workers, larvae and many eggs. These data show that neotenics in A. euamignathus may originate from both workers and nymphs, but nymphoids are produced in larger numbers. The biometric study of nymphs and nymphoids suggests that these brachypterous neotenics were derived from third instar nymphs after a single moult or from four instar nymphs after a reduction of wing bud length. A piece of an E. festivellus nest with some third instar nymphs, soldiers and workers was kept under laboratory conditions. After 12 months, the whole experimental subcolony was examined and appeared to contain two pigmented nymphoid females, two pigmented nymphoid males, only one larva, seven nymphs of the same instar, 148 workers, five soldiers and many eggs. These results also indicate the capacity of the termite E. festivellus to produce nymphoid neotenics. These neotenic females were laying eggs, but they were not physogastric after a year, unlike some nymphoids of the same species collected from natural colonies.

ABSTRACT. Heads of soldier termites belonging to the species Elllbiralermesjeslivel/us (Silvestri, 1901) (Tennitidae, Nasutitermitinae) and Spinilermes brevicorl1l1ll1S (Desneux, 1904) (Termitidae, Termitinae) were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Individual glandular openings are present in the upper part of E.jeslivel/lls head and correspond to class 3 glandular cells. Campaniform sensillae occur in both termite heads, but this sensorial structure was not observed in the nasus extremity of E. jeslivel/lls soldier.

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ABSTRACT. Morphology ofthe digestive tube in the termites Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) e Coplotermes havilandi Holmgren (Isoptera, Rhiootermitidae). The digestive tube of workers of Helerolermes lenuis (Hagen, 1858) e Coplolermes havilandi Ho1mgren, 1911 was ana1ysed under the anatomical view. The digestive tube of both species did not show conspicuous diferences in relation to the morphology, morphometry and the configuration ofthe digestive tube that were the aspects studied. The general organization ofthe digestive tube ofthese species show several similarity with other lower telmites previously analysed. KEY WORDS. Isoptera, Helerolermes lenuis, Coplolermes havilandi, digestive tube Nos cupins, o tubo digestivo é bastante longo e encontra-se quase totalmente enrolado dentro da cavidade abdominal, segundo um padrão característico. O trato digestivo destes insetos é dividido em três regiões, ou seja, intestino anterior, constituído pela faringe, esôfago, papo, moela e válvula estomodeal, intestino médio sem subdivisões e intestino posterior constituído pelo primeiro segmento proctodeai, válvula entérica, pança, cólon e reta (NOIROT & NOIRoT-TIMOTHÉE 1969; CONSTANTINO 1997). Tanto as características morfológicas como o padrão de enrolamento do trato digestivo são usados na sistemática dos diferentes grupos de cupins (KOVOOR 1968; NOIROT & NOIROT-TIMOTHÉE 1969;NOIROT 1995). A configuração do tubo digestivo in situ é bastante importante na identificação de operários de cupins, principalmente aqueles que se alimentam de solo e detritos (JOHNSON 1979). Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858) e Coptotermes havilandi Holmgren, 1911 são considerados espécies pragas e têm causado grandes prejuízos econômicos no estado de São Paulo. Apesar do grande interesse econômico, existem poucos estudos básicos a respeito destes térmitas. Visando contribuir para o estudo da biologia destas espécies, neste trabalho analisou-se o tubo digestivo dos operários de H. tenuis e C. havilandi do ponto de vista morfológico e morfométrico. MATERIAL E MÉTODOSNeste estudo foram utilizados operários forrageiros das espécies Heterotermes temtis e Coptotermes havilandi coletados no município de Rio Claro, São Paulo, sendo que exemplares testemunho estão depositados na coleção de Isoptera (núme-ros 167 e 168) do CEIS (Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais) da Universidade Estadual Paulista, campus de Rio Claro, São Paulo. Para o estudo da anatomia e morfometria do tubo digestivo, os operários foram imobilizados pelo frio e dissecados sob estereomicroscópio em solução fisiológica para insetos. O tubo digestivo foi retirado e distendido sobre uma lâmina contendo uma gota de solução fisiológica. Para a confecção do esquema geral e esquemas do padrão de enrolamento do tubo digestivo em vista dorsal, ventral, lateral-direita e lateral-esquerda utilizou-se uma câmara clara acoplada ao estereo-