INSECT INJURIES TO FOREST PRODUCTS. 



AVHITK ANTS, OK TKK.M ITKS. 



389 



I The character of the work of while ants, or termites, in wood is shown 

 figure 52. It consists of burrows, galleries, and tunnels of greatly 

 varying sixes, and of every conceivable shape, extended in all direc- 

 tions through the wood. A peculiar character is the complete destruc- 

 tion of the inner portion of the wood, while slight or no evidence is 

 shown on the exposed surface. In this work these insects employ a 

 kind of earthy matter 

 mixed with macerated 

 wood to cover or roof 

 in such parts of the gal- 

 leries as would other- 

 wise be exposed to the 

 light; also to cover 

 their paths over the 

 surface of stone, iron, 

 r uninjured wood, 



ere inside tunnels 

 not made, to pro- 



t them from light 

 d from their ene- 



es as they travel 



m place to place to 



it or extend their 



rrows and nests. 

 The injuries to forest 

 products, both crude 

 and finished, consist of 

 a partial or complete 

 destruction of the in- 

 fested material. Un- 

 der certain conditions 

 greater damage and 

 loss is caused than by 

 the work of any other 

 class of insects. A 

 great variety of prod- 

 ucts is affected, such 

 as round and square timbers left for some time next to the ground, 

 posts and poles set in the ground, railroad ties, bridge timbers, and 

 lumber in the bottom of stacks; and these insects are especially 

 destructive to the underpinning, flooring, and all Bother wooden parts 

 of buildings which are readily accessible to the little destroyers. The 

 excavations are made by the insects for the purpose of obtaining food 



VI to serve as habitations and nurseries for the great number of 

 ividuals which occupy them. 



FIG. 52. Work of white ant, or termite, Termes flavipes, in sound 

 and dry red oak molding from door casing: a, inner portion; b, 

 longitudinal section; c, outer surface; d, male; e, female; /, sol- 

 dier; (7, worker, natural size. (Original.) 



