390 CLAUDE FULLEE. 



harvesting grass it displays a remarkable predilection for a 

 -variety known as Florida Grass, a fine and tender variety 

 of Cynodon dactylon. Consequently it is a frequent pest 

 to lawns in Pretoria and Johannesburg, where this grass is 

 favoured. If not interfered with, latericius will establish 

 itself in a lawn, and not only will keep it constantly mown, 

 but will disfigure it utterly with the clay canopies beneath 

 which it works. The insects first form a small canopy not an 

 inch in diameter aiul cut the grass off beneath it ; as the 

 herbage is removed the margin of the canop}^ is extended 

 until it may be 6 to 10 in. in diameter. As soon as the 

 canopy is fairiy large, the insects lose their timidity and 

 venture out two to three inches from beneath its protection, 

 mowing the grass evenly all round as if with a scythe. If 

 disturbed, the workers desist and hasten for shelter. A few 

 lose their way. Long after the workers have disappeared, 

 the soldiers (about 1 per cent, of the herd) remain, obviously 

 on the defensive, and their movements and attitudes convey 

 the impression that they are trying to shepherd the stragglers 

 back to safety. 



An interesting feature is found in connection with the 

 •departure of the winged insects in the early summer. For 

 this purpose special exits from the nest are prepared, which 

 take the form of inclined oval galleries radiating from the 

 hive (PI. XXIX, fig. 8, a, b, c, d). These have a wide dia- 

 meter of 1 to 2 in. and a height of i in., dimensions which 

 are retained until the inclines ypproach the surface of the 

 ground, where they narrow down sharply to an elongate 

 oval (1 in. by \ in.), and then taper narrowly into the exit. 

 Just above the soil-surface is built an oval and expanded rim 

 of clay ; this rests obliquely and forms a vantage from which 

 the insects can take flight. 



Before and after the imagos emerge the position of these 

 shafts is indicated by very small moundlets of hardened 

 •clay. 



