TERMITES IN THE CANAL, ZONE AND PANAMA. 13 



On February 16, 1922, these termites were found by Zetek and 

 Molino on a ceiba tree (Eriodendron casearia Medic.) at Pedro Mi- 

 guel, Canal Zone. The galleries on the tree were of mud from one- 

 half to Is inches wide, ragged looking, irregular, and flattened ; those 

 newly made were very wet and soft, the old ones dry and hard. The 

 portion still under construction appeared to be the site of concen- 

 trated effort for a distance of 18 inches, as if the insects were trying 

 to do as much as possible in as short a time as possible. The sides 

 of this newly-constructed gallery were not complete, but had an 

 opening for almost every inch, and at these openings large numbers 

 of termite soldiers stood guard. These soldiers were practically 

 all outside of the gallery, in direct light, with their mandibles 

 wide open; they were aggressive, snapping at anything, and ex- 

 uding in plenty the viscid white liquid. Inside of the openings were 

 additional soldiers in reserve. As the gallery neared completion, 

 the lower end was finished and all the side openings were closed. 



Similar damage to the trunks of living coconut palms occurs 

 (PL VI, Z>), and this is discussed in more detail under a subsequent 

 heading (p. 15-16). 



SWARMING. 



Winged adults of Coptoterm.es niger were collected by E. St. 

 Clair Clayton from the center wall north of the control tower, Mira- 

 flores Locks, Canal Zone, from a swarm which occurred on May 28, 

 1922. They were emerging at about 4.30 p. m., from a small hole in 

 the ground, near a concrete lamp post, at the same place where there 

 was a swarm the year before. 



Another swarm of this termite took place in front of the board of 

 health laboratory, Ancon, Canal Zone, at 3 p. m., May 28, 1922'. The 

 termites were coming from the crack between the concrete curb 

 and the concrete walk in enormous numbers, the most important fea- 

 ture being the immense number of soldiers which lined the crack 

 and immediate vicinity, remaining on guard as long as winged, 

 forms were emerging. The photograph (PI. VI, E) was taken with 

 an upright stand which was focused indoors, and taken outside 

 already set up, since it was raining and the light was poor and un- 

 necessary exposure of the camera to the bad weather was unde- 

 sirable. Unfortunately, the focus was not sharp enough to give de- 

 tail at a one-fifth second exposure. 



A POSSIBLE MECHANICAL CARRIER OF THE NEMATODE APHELENCHUS COCO- 

 PHILUS WHICH CAUSES "RED-RING" DISEASE OF COCONUT PALM TREES, 



There is evidence that C optotervies niger may be a mechanical 

 carrier of the nematode which causes " red-ring " disease of living 

 coconut palms. A coconut palm (PL VII, -4), about 5 years old, 



Description of Plate VIIL 



Interrelationship between nematodes,, the termite Coptotermes niger, and the 

 "red-ring" disease of cocoxct palms: A, Covered runway of termite built over- 

 night after trunk was sawed up into four pieces. At lower end is seen part of termi- 

 tarium which had been cut through during sawing. The characteristic ring of the 

 disease is very evident. This section is lower face or" CC of tie diagram (text fig. 1). 

 B, View of termitarium of termite found within trunk of palm. The tissues were 

 abundantly infested with Aphelenchus cocophilus. No queen cells were found ; only 

 soldiers and workers were present. C, Another view of same termitarium. Note cylin- 

 drical runways of termites going into trunk tissues. D, E, Other views of same termi- 

 tarium. 



