[Objectives]  To study Vitellogenin (Vg) gene expression and oocyte development in the neotenic reproductive caste of Reticulitermes labralis (Hsia). [Methods]  Vitellogenin gene expression was measured using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during the development of individuals of the neotenic reproductive caste and oogenesis was observed with the histological dyeing method. [Results]  The level of Vg gene expression initially increased, then declined during development. There were vitellogenic oocytes in the ovarioles on day 10 of development, and development had reached the late vitellogenesis stage on day 20. From the first to the third month, the mean number of eggs laid by members of the neotenic reproductive caste was (2.45±1.43), (7.68±2.53) and (12.10±7.09), respectively. Larvae had hatched by the third month; the mean number of larvae was (5.15±2.41). Workers, pre-soldiers and soldiers had developed by the tenth month, the mean numbers of these castes were (17.03±2.28), (1.45±0.31) and (0.79±0.18), respectively. [Conclusion]  Nymphs differentiate later than workers and soldiers in initial colonies and can quickly develop into the neotenic reproductives when required. The level of Vg gene expression is related to the development of vitellogenic oocytes and an increase in Vg gene expression starts the process of vitellogenin uptake in oocytes. Although the mean number of eggs laid by individual members of the neotenic reproductive caste is less than that laid by one primary reproductive, because the number of neotenic reproductives is far more than the single primary reproductive in each colony, the total number of eggs laid by neotenic reproductives far exceeds that produced by primary reproductives. Neotenic reproductives are therefore important to the growth of colonies.