244 
KErOKT ON ECONOMK’ ENTOMOLOGY 
W’hite ants 
Uses oi 
termites 
In Khartoum 
Value of 
Solignuni 
Thu work of this augur lieetle is most noticeable in tlie wood used by tlie natives in tlie 
construction of their huts. Hero, if unchecked, it soon reduces a comparatively stout 
rafter or post to a mere shell. 
I'reventiuns and reuirdins. —.Vll dead wood refuse should be collected and burnt instead 
of being allowed to lie about and constitute nurseries for this pest. 
If timber of value is attacked it can be saved by a liberal application of paraffin. 
Possildy “ Solignum,” recommended as a preventive against the ravages of termites, 
might also be of value against the stis. 
White Ants 
Ternvitidic 
It would be difficult to estimate the extent of the yearly losses that are suffered by 
residents in this country from the depredations of termites, popularly known as White Ants, 
or, to the natives, as Arda. Not oidy do these tiny insects destroy the timbers of houses, 
telegraph poles and wooden structures generally, but in some places they even attack 
growing crops and trees. Working as they do under cover of darkness—for very few 
termites can bear the light of day —the damage is frequently done before their presence is 
suspected. The alacrity with which they discover the whereabouts of anything that is to 
them edible is extraordinary. Stout leather camel bags — khunj — hung on the wall of 
a rest house, have been utterly ruined in a single night. Poles arising from iron bases are 
not safe, for the white ants construct mud tunnels over the metal until the wood is reached. 
It is needless to multiply instances of their voracity, for their habits in this direction are 
only too well known. 
It must not be thought, however, that white ants are an unmitigated curse. Some of 
the larger species have been eaten and are said to be very palatable. Where available in 
any numbers, they constitute an excellent food for fowls. The substance of wbich the 
nests or termitaria, which some species erect, are composed, can be used in making floors ; 
when moistened, it can be spread out like mud, and in drying sets very hard. These nests 
can also be used as fertilisers ; in South Africa they have been strongly recommended for 
this purpose.’ 
The common species in Khartoum, and one that is responsible for much of the damage 
done, is Galotermes flavicoJlis, T. Tenues helUcosas, Smeathman, occurs in Sennar and 
Kordofau, and Tenues destructor, Smeathman, in Kordofan and the Upper White Nile. 
Termes natnlensis, Hav., has also been recorded from the Sudan. 
A small termite taken by Dr. Swale in Haifa Province, near the Om Nabadi mines, 
has been identified as Psammotennes hi/hnstoiiia, Desn. 
Several other species occur which have yet to be identified. 
Preventions and remedies . — From a series of experiments carried out by Mr. P)Utler, 
Superintendent of Game Preservation, in 1905'6, it would appear that we have in the 
liquid known as Solignum a perfectly reliable preventive against the ravages of white 
ants. The following is an extract from his report. 
“ As a result of eleven months’ trial, including a rainy season, I Imre not found one single 
piece of ivood work treated with Aolignum so much as touched hg white ants. 
“ I have baited moist ground with pieces of undressed wood until it was teeming with 
white ants, and then placed Solignumed pegs in this ground, and Solignumed planks and 
’ Transmial AtjriruJhiral Joiir/ia/, July, lOOG, *^43. 
