PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION D. IO5 



of the total number of termite species ; but they possess nearly 

 90 per cent, of the total number of described termitophiles. 

 Perhaps fungus-growers tend to have rather more termitophiles 

 than non- fungus-growers, but the evidence is far from conclusive, 

 and it is clear that very few, if any, of the termitophiles actually 

 feed on the fungus. 



The more primitive termites, such as Calotcrmcs, make their 

 nests in the decayed branches of trees ; they have a less 

 complicated social economy, and are less capable of providing 

 such accommodation as is necessary for the majority of termito- 

 philes. 



As examples of the number and variety of termitophiles 

 which may occur with a species of termite, the following figures 

 have been drawn from Wasmann's lists : — 



In the nests of Hodotermes viator and //. mossamhicus 

 from Africa: Coleoptera 6. Hymenoptera i, Isopoda i=total 

 of 8. 



Tcrmcs natnlensis Hav. from Africa: Coleoptera 9, Hymen- 

 optera 3, Pseudoneuroptera i, Diptera i, Thvsanura imtotal 

 of 15. 



Termes obesus Ramb. from India : Coleoptera 29, Diptera 3, 

 Thvsanura 2:=Total of 34. 



Now, Hodotermes is a more primitive genus than Termes, 

 and has a less stable domicile, and, according to present evidence, 

 the termitophile fauna of the former is less rich than that of the 

 latter. 



IV. Comparison of the Termitophile Faunas of the X'arious 



Regions. 



Genuine termitophiles appear to be confined to the arthropods 

 and mainly to insects, although an earthworm (Notoscolax 

 termitocola Mich.) and a few other odd creatures have been 

 described as termitophile in character. It will be interesting 

 to obtain some notion of the relative frequency with which the 

 different orders and families of arthropods are represented 

 among the known termitophiles, and also as to how far these 

 proportions are maintained in the various termite regions of 

 the world. The actual figures given in the accompanying table 

 are only roughly approximate, since it has not been possible to 

 obtain access to all the literature, and recourse has been had to 

 the Zoological Record for some of the entries.* 



Notwithstanding this fact, and although the different termite 

 regions have not been equally investigated with regard to the 

 termitophiles, yet it is believed that the table does represent 

 in broad outline the general trend of the termitophile faunas. 



* I have much pleasure in acknowledging my indebtedness to Dr. H. 

 Brauns, of Willowmore, C.P., for his ever-ready kindness in lendinqr 

 literature and in providing valuable information from his rich store of 

 knov/ledge relative to African entomolog>-. 



