The subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes have a complex and plastic life cycle, which has been the subject of a number of publications over the past century. Given the inherent difficulties in studying such cryptic, eusocial organisms it is not perhaps surprising that the literature on their biology has failed to reach a consensus. An overview of the literature is given, which is followed by a discussion of the various theories on the life cycle of Reticulitermes spp. A substantial proportion of the review focuses on the French literature, which constitutes the majority of the primary sources and can be difficult to access. There are many discrepancies in the literature in terms of the number of instars, the definition of workers and the question of whether they should be termed pseudergates or, potentially, an additional terminology used to differentiate between pseudergates and the true workers seen in the higher termites (Isoptera: Termitidae). It remains very difficult to compare publications as there is little conformity; a problem that is aggravated by a general absence of drawings of the relevant instars. Further work on the biology of Reticulitermes is clearly required. There is also a need for researchers to agree on a standard terminology for this genus. A glossary is provided for the various synonyms and definitions.

The ontogenetic changes in the diet of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) larvae were investigated during three consecutive years in a deep peri-alpine lake. Identification of the feeding habits of larvae in relation to their larval stage was performed using a PCA% in order to take into account the individual variability in larval diet. Although whitefish larvae are planktivorous, the present study points out ontogenetic changes in diet. While young larval stages are opportunistic feeders on small copepods, older stages feed preferentially on Daphnia sp.. Strong inter-annual variability has been observed in the dietary overlap between the successive larval stages. We show that the density and availability of the potential prey will affect the dynamics of the ontogenetic changes in the diet. Furthermore, it could probably alter the intra-specific competition between larval stages.Keywords: diet-overlap, dietary, ontogeny, plasticity, whitefish larvae. HABITUDES ALIMENTAIRES ET CHANGEMENTS ONTOGÉNIQUES DANS L'ALIMENTATION DES LARVES DE CORÉGONES DANS LE LAC D'ANNECY RÉSUMÉLes changements ontogéniques du régime alimentaire du corégone (Coregonus lavaretus) ont été étudiés dans un lac profond péri-alpin durant 3 années consécutives. Afin de prendre en compte la variabilité inter-individuelle, les habitudes alimentaires des différents stades de développement larvaire ont été analysées par une ACP%. Bien que planctivores, la présente étude met en évidence des changements ontogéniques du régime alimentaire chez Coregonus lavaretus. Les jeunes stades sont opportunistes sur les petits copépodes et les stades avancés présentent une préférence pour Daphnia sp. De fortes variabilités inter-annuelles ont pu être observées dans le recouvrement des régimes alimentaires de stades de développement successifs. La densité et la disponibilité des proies potentielles influencent la dynamique des changements ontogéniques et par conséquent pourraient affecter la compétition intra-spécifique entre stades larvaires.Mots-clés: recouvrement du régime alimentaire, régime alimentaire, ontogénie, plasticité, larve de corégone.