149 



white ants. Platyptera. 



The Termites or so-called white ants (Fig. 157), or 

 wood ants, are not true ants, but get their name from the 

 similarity of their social organizations to those of the true 

 ants in the order Hymenoptera. In their structure and 

 life-history they more nearly resemble such insects as the 

 pond-flies and the lace-wing flies. They live in large 

 colonies which generally have an extensive central nest 

 containing one or more fertile egg-laying queens, and 

 enormous numbers of workers. These queens attain a 

 size much larger than any of the workers, because of the 



Fig. 157. White ant. 

 (a) newly hatched larva ; (b) same from below ; (c) egg, much enlarged. 



(From U.S. Dept. Agric.) 



enormous distention of the abdomen which results from 

 the development of the organs connected with egg-laying. 

 (Fig. 158.) 



These insects are nearly always blind, and they hide 

 from the light. When it is necessary to cross an exposed 

 surface, they build tunnels or covered galleries, through 

 which they travel from place to place. They feed upon 

 wood, and are able to excavate timbers and lumber used 

 in construction, to such an extent as to render them 

 entirely worthless. They often attack picture frames, 

 chairs, tables and other furniture, especially in old houses 

 where these articles come into contact with the walls, or 

 where they are not often moved. 



