THE SOLDIERLESS TERMITES OF AFRICA 133 



21.X.1916 and 9.V.1917 (C. Fuller); 26 m. S. of Johannesburg, 9.^.1935 (H. Kirby), 

 AMNH; Pretoria, 6.V.1938, Sibasa, 9^.1960 (W. G. H. Coaton); Belfast, 27.lv, 

 Ermelo (three vials), 3-6. vi. 1956 (/. H. Grobler); Rustenburg (two vials), 26. i and 

 Middelburg, 22. iv. i960 (P. C . Joubert); Bronkhorstspruit, 11.iii.1962 (/. L. Sheasby), 

 N.C.I., Pretoria. Natal, Haviland Rail (two vials), Estcourt, 1894 (G. D. Haviland) ; 

 Charlestown (/. Tragardh); Hilton Road, 1913 (E. Warren); Tongaat, 19.iv.1914 

 (C. Fuller), all AMNH; Nkandhla (three vials), 27-28.1.1957, Mahlabatini, 6.xii, 

 Umzimkulu, I7.xii, Lions River, I9_xii and Bergville, 21.xii.1959 (P. C. Joubert); 

 Impendhle, 21. i. 1962 (/. L. Sheasby); Orange Free State, Heilbron, 22. v. 1938 

 (W. G. H. Coaton) all N.C.I. , Pretoria; Cape Province, Kentani, iv.1918 (A. Pegler); 

 Zwartkop, 7 m. from Port Elizabeth, 20.iii.1914 (Anon.), N.C.I, and AMNH; Port 

 St. Johns, 14.iii.1938, Albany, 26.1.1958, Somerset East, 7.11.1961 (W. G. H. Coaton), 

 Albany (five vials), 12.viii.1951, 20. vi and i.xi.1955, 9^.1957 and 29.vii.1961 

 (E. McCallan, J. Myers, F. W. Gess) ; Umzimkulu, 20. i, Qumbu, 10. x and Flagstaff, 

 12. x. 1962 (J. L. Sheasby); Tsolo, 15.x and Komgha, 22.x. 1962 (G. F. Pretorius), 

 all in N.C.I., Pretoria. 



Specimens listed above are in the BMNH unless otherwise stated. Eighty-four 

 nest-series have been examined and something is known of the biology. The 

 species does not construct a mound, but has been found in the mounds of Cubitermes, 

 under rocks, and swarming from subterranean tunnels. Many of the records are 

 from high altitudes, up to 8000 feet above sea level. In general it appears com- 

 monest in fairly moist savanna, often adjacent to rain forest, though a few records 

 are from drier areas. This species appears to be more ready than most termites 

 to leave its underground nest system to wander on the surface. On a number of 

 occasions (at least five) it has been recorded on the march complete with reproductive 

 castes; this behaviour usually results from attacks by burrowing Doryline ants, 

 and in one instance the species of ant has been identified as Rhogmus fimbriatus 

 (Shuckard). 



Alyscotermes trestus sp. n. 



(Text-figs 311-314 & 321-326; PI. 2, figs 6 & 7) 



Imago. Head capsule dark chestnut-brown, very dark above ocelli; fontanelle oval, flat, 

 slightly raised, or depressed in middle, somewhat roughened, a little smaller than ocellus- 

 chestnut-brown ; medial spot circular or short oval, slightly distinct, slightly depressed chestnut, 

 brown, semicircular; antennae sepia-brown. Pronotum, meso- and metanota chestnut-brown. 

 Transverse dark sutures distinct; femora sepia-brown, tibiae paler, tarsi yellow-brown. Ab- 

 dominal tergites and dorsal stigmata, chestnut-brown, sternites and ventral stigmata brown, 

 sternites yellow-brown in middle; cerci pale yellow-brown. 



Posterior margin of head capsule not quite evenly rounded, slightly undulating; ocelli small, 

 separated from compound eyes by own least diameter or slightly more; postclypeus weakly 

 inflated, Pcl/W, 0-22-0-25, posterior margin broadly and evenly rounded, median suture distinct. 

 Pilosity of head capsule brown, coarse pelt obscured by numerous uneven emergent setae. 

 Other characters as in generic diagnosis. 



