540 SOME SOUTH INDIAN INSECTS, ETC. 



I ig. \3S.~Coptotermes heimi, bead of soldier 'much magnified). 

 (< >riginal.) 



Distribution. — Coimbatore, Bellary ; probably throughout the 

 Plains. 



Lifehistory. — Colonies of soldiers, workers and young occur in 

 decayed portions of living trees and in wooden beams, etc. The 

 winged adults fly just after sunset on still evenings in January and 

 February at Coimbatore. 



Status. — In the case of living trees colonies only appear to occur 

 in old trees and probably only occupy and perhaps enlarge already 

 existing dead portions or hollows in the stem and branches caused 

 by disease or injury. In the case of buildings, however, these 

 Termites may do considerable damage by hollowing out beams, 

 especially in the roof. Their presence is often detected by the long 

 narrow galleries, partly excavated in the wood and covered with 

 mud or chewed wood, which they run over tree-trunks, beams, etc. 

 The soldiers exude a large drop of milky, sticky, latex-like liquid 

 from the head. 



Control. Little can be done unless the headquarters of the 

 colony can be located. It may then be destroyed by injecting 

 poisonous fumes. Treatment with preservatives of beams intended 

 for constructional use is indicated as a means of prevention. 



