THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



27 



PLATYPTERA (Order). 



The members of this order have direct or incomplete metamorphosis, 

 the larva.' and nymphs not varying greatly in structure from the adults. 

 The wings, when present are two pairs, membraneous, delicate, equal 

 or front wings slightly larger. There are two suborders, Corrodentia 

 and Mallnphaga. Only the family Termitidcf of the Corrodentia will 

 l)e ( onsidered here. 



TERMITID^ (Family 



TERMITES OR WHITE ANTS. 



(Fii 



25.) 



These insects, though commonly called white arits, are not ants at all, 

 being more closely related to the lower groups of insects rather than 

 to tlie true ants. Some entomologists have placed them in a single 

 order — Isoptera. 



Fig. 2 5. — Termes lucifugus Rossi. A, adult worker; B, .soldier; C, perfect 

 winged insect ; D, same insect after shedding the wings ; E, young queen ; 

 F, old queen. (After Grassi and Sandias. ) 



The eyes of the termites are faceted or made up of many apparently 

 individual eyes; antenna^' 9-31 jointed; prothorax large and well devel- 

 oped ; abdomen elongated with ten segments ; wings long, slender, mem- 

 braneous, equal and delicate. The habits are social, there being 

 abortive female workers, soldiers, males and sexual females or queens. 



