16 BULLETIN 1232, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



long built by these termites during the interval. A photograph was 

 taken .of this newly made gallery (PI. VIII, A). Soldiers were on 

 guard at the openings of this gallery. 



There was also a gallery along the sides of the third section (from 

 top) ; it measured 6 inches in length (PL VTI, D). The wound is 

 shown in the photograph of this segment. Section CO was cut from 

 the top of this particular section. 



No termites were found in section DD (fig.l). 



COMPOSITION OF SHELTER TUBES. 



A microchemical examination by the Bureau of Chemistry of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture of fragments of the shelter 

 tubes constructed by Coptoterm-es niger from galleries in the center 

 wall of Miraflores Locks, Canal Zone, is reported as follows: 



Sample B, M. 38192. This sample was found to contain an appreciable 

 amount of siliceous material, and also material giving the usual microchemical 

 reaction for lignin, as well as showing evidence of definite cellular structure, 

 thus differing from sample A, where similar material was more finely com- 

 minuted. 



NASUTITERMES CORNIGERA Motschulsky. 



The bad-smelling N asutitermes cornigercu is one of the most com- 

 mon and destructive termites in Panama, and its semispherical, 

 " niggerhead," carton nests on the trunks or in the crotches of trees 

 are often found. 



On July 26, 1921, Zetek and Molino found this termite very 

 abundant on trees along the Tumba Muerta road, near Panama City, 

 from Las Sabanas road to Corundu River, a distance of about 1| 

 miles, it being the prevalent species. Citrus trees especially were 

 badly infested. At Octavio Icaza's place nearly all the citrus trees 

 had nests of this termite in the crotches. At Herbruger's place (La 

 Loceria) all the citrus trees were infested with this species, which 

 was very abundant' and in two cases had apparently caused the 

 death of the trees. 



Earthlike galleries one-half to 1 inch wide and one-fourth to 

 three-fourths inch thick were abundant on the tree trunks along the 

 road referred to and nests in the trees were not rare. No queens 

 were found, the nests containing mostly soldiers. In one case at 

 La Loceria (near Panama City) on a citrus tree soldiers were seen 

 crawling about and also exposed on the ground with no gallery or 

 anything to protect them. A distance of about 4 feet was traversed 

 in this manner. 



Some of the nests on trees were as large as 2 feet by 3 feet. 



Description of Plate IX. 



Carton nests and shelter tubes of 'Nasutitermes cornigc-ra and injury to electri- 

 cal apparatus by N. ephratae ; A, Large semispherical carton nest of N. comigera 

 at Miraflores Locks, C. Z. B, Structure of termitarium inside of bronze service box 

 in Lamp Post No. 600, Miraflores Locks, C. Z. November 29. 1921. C, Termitarium 

 of N. ephratae in hollow center of Lamp Post No. 600, Miraflores Locks, enveloping the 

 wires, light socket, and two telephone sockets in bronze service bos. There were, 

 back of this nest, a few pieces of pine boards infested with this termite. November 29, 

 1921. D, A lead-covered 600-volt copper wire with termitarium about it. This termite 

 does not eat into the lead, but does destroy all cloth and rubber insulation. Where ^- 

 the copper is laid bare the termites have formed a sheath over it. November 29. 1921.#J 

 E, Damage done to braid and rubber insulation of 600-volt wires leading to overhead 

 lights at Lamp Post No. 600. Miraflores. C. Z. F. Sbelter tube of N. cornigera on branch 

 of' avocado tree showing work of a girdling beetle, Trachydares subpilosus. 



