366 



HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



very numerous, the soldiers, which have large heads 

 and strong jaws, and finally, at certain times of the 

 year, great numbers of winged males and females. 

 The workers and soldiers are undeveloped individuals 

 of both sexes and, in this respect, 

 differ from true ants, in which the 

 workers are undeveloped females. 

 The workers perform all the labor 

 of the colony, assisted somewhat 

 by the soldiers, care for the queen, 

 secure food, care for the young, 

 and build the nests. The soldiers 

 (Fig. 127) are the defenders of the 

 colony. 



In the spring of the year, 

 enormous numbers of the chest- 

 nut-brown to blackish winged 

 males (Fig. 128) and females 

 emerge from the colonies and 

 begin their flight. The wings of 

 these individuals are long and 

 shining and very pale brown in 

 color. The individuals in these 

 swarming flights are so abundant 

 that they can often be swept up 

 by the quart, and because of such great numbers these 

 insects have become objects of rather wide popular ac- 

 quaintance. After the flight, a pair may settle on a decay- 

 ing log or stump, break off their wings, at a breaking joint 

 close to the body, and start a new colony. This, at least, 

 is thought to be the manner in which a new colony of 

 Termes flampes is founded, but very little absolutely 



FIG. 127. A soldier ter- 

 mite. (X 13.) 



