110 



GENERAL ZOOLOGY 



Collembola, or Springtails. These wingless insects, still 

 smaller than the Thysanura, are of very little importance. 

 They occur on the surface of water and under leaves and 

 stones. At times they become so abundant on snow that 

 they are called snow fleas. They make surprisingly quick 



jumps by extending a spring-like 

 tail, which at rest lies underneath 

 the body. Until they jump into 

 the air they might readily be mis- 

 taken for minute particles of soot 

 or dirt. 



Isoptera, or Termites. Often 

 in old logs, stumps, or under 

 stones swarms of small white in- 

 sects resembling ants are seen 

 (Fig. 67). They hollow out gal- 

 leries in wood and soil similar to 

 those made by ants. Although 

 these insects are often called white 

 ants, they are not ants and are 

 not closely related to them. They 

 belong to an order known as the 

 Isop'tera, which is but slightly 

 higher than the Orthoptera. Like 

 ants, hundreds or even thousands 

 of individuals live together, forming a society. There are 

 several classes of individuals. Wingless, white, thick- waisted 

 insects are the workers. They gather food, build the nests, 

 and care for the young. The soldiers are wingless, like the 

 workers, but have very large heads and powerful jaws for 

 the defense of the colony. The kings and queens, or fathers 

 and mothers, have wings. On reaching maturity they fly 

 away in pairs. After this flight they shed their wings. The 

 queen lays eggs which the workers care for. 



Fig. 66. Fish moth. (Enlarged) 

 After Marlatt 



