REVISION OF NEARCTIC TERMITES. 167 



in the same colony. Eggs and recently hatched young were abun- 

 dant in galleries and chambers in the v/ood and clay. 



RETICULITERMES TIBULIS Banks. 



For taxonomy see pp. 47-50. 



Reticulitermes tibialis is distinct from either Jlavipes Kollar or 

 lucifugus Eossi, both in structure and biology. The tibiae of the 

 winged adults are blackened and the soldier has a broad gula. This 

 is a very widely distributed species throughout the western United 

 States, occurring from as far east as Iowa and Arkansas, west to the 

 Pacific Coast and south to Brownsville, Texas. The localities from 

 which it was first recognized as a distinct species were in the Pikes 

 Peak region, Colorado Sprmgs, Garden of the Gods, Ivywild, and 

 Manitou, Colorado; W. D. Edmonston and A. B. Champlain collecting 

 the first specimens in 1915. The species was later collected by B. T. 

 Harvey and George Hofer, Harvey supplying biological notes. 



Baron R. Osten Sacken (1877) stated that "at Manitou, Colo., 

 August 19, I saw a small Termes flying (perhaps a different species) 

 and observed similar, already wingless, couple on the ground." 

 This species was without doubt tibialis, since no other termite has 

 been foimd in this region. Mr. Banks has recently examined these 

 specimens and they are tibialis. 



Later, however, it was also determined that E. A. Schwarz had 

 collected this termite at Beeville, Texas, as early as November 1, 

 1895; the winged adults were swarming at that date. 



On June 20, 1915, Harvey made general observations on this 

 species in the vicinity of Colorado Springs. He states that this 

 termite occurs mostly in and about towns, along prairie borders and 

 in low foothills, sometimes running up canyons and streams. Old 

 fence posts are often damaged, but Harvey was unable to fiund any 

 cases of damage to timbers in buildings. 



This termite occurs up to a high elevation on the mountains of 

 Colorado. Harvey stated, on August 4, 1915, that the highest 

 altitude at which he collected specimens was 7,000 feet, at Manitou, 

 Colorado, in scrub white oak and under stones. He further stated 

 that it very likely may occur higher up to about 8,500 feet, the 

 approximate upper limit of scrub white oak thickets in this region. 

 (Observations by the writer in the Pikes Peak region in July, 1917, 

 indicate that 7,000 feet is probably the highest limit at which 

 colonies are found.) 



One small colony, at Ivywild, Colorado, consisting of but few 

 workers and soldiers, was found under a pile of old horse manure 

 which had been deposited on top of a sunken granite boulder which 

 was practically covered by dirt and grass. Many larger colonies were 

 in scrub white oak thickets 10 to 20 yards away. 



