14 



MISC. PUBLICATION 6 2 6, U. S. DEPT. OF' AGRICULTURE 



dying roots or through wounds near the 

 ground line. 



The worker termites (fig. 22) are 

 whitish, soft-bodied, wingless insects, 

 about Yi inch long. They are some- 

 times called white ants, although not 

 related to the true ants. These whitish 

 workers are never seen in the open, but 

 can usually be found in the infested 

 wood or plant stems and in their tunnels 

 in the adjacent soil. In the spring the 

 reproductive forms, which are black 

 with whitish wings (fig. 23, A), swarm 

 from the old nest and migrate to start 

 new colonies. Flying ants are often 

 mistaken for these winged termites. 

 The ants, however, are distinguished by 

 having the middle of the body thin or 

 constricted, like a wasp, whereas the 

 termite body is about the same width 

 throughout. The wings of ants are 

 usually not much longer than the body, 

 the hind wings being much smaller than 

 the front wings, whereas the wings of 

 the termites are about twice as long as 

 the body, and both pairs are of the same 

 size (compare A and B in fig. 23). 



Treatment. — No entirely satisfac- 



Figure 22. — Lily stem cut open to 

 show worker termites. About twice 

 natural size. 



i 



Figure 23. — A, Winged adult termite; 

 B, winged adult ant. About twice 

 natural size. 



tory method is known for the control of 

 termites in living plants. The following 

 treatments, however, will aid in reduc- 

 ing the termite population in the soil: 

 Remove and dispose of all infested wood 

 and infested and dying plants. Remove 

 all old wood and accumulations of dead 

 vegetable matter from the soil in and 

 adjacent to the garden or near other 

 infested shrubs or trees, since such 

 material is often the main source of 

 infestation. In addition, where termites 

 are numerous, the soil may be fumigated 

 with carbon disulfide (p. 103), as sug- 

 gested for white grubs, to reduce the 

 population. Several treatments may be 

 necessary during the season if the ter- 

 mites continue to multiply. Avoid the 

 use of manure or compost while ter- 

 mites are present in the soil, since such 

 materials serve as additional food. 

 Chemical fertilizers may be substituted. 

 Deep spading or deep cultivation is of 

 value in disturbing termite tunnels. 



Prevention. — Keep the soil free of 

 old wood, to discourage termites from 

 multiplying. Scraps of lumber or 

 wooden forms from building construc- 

 tion should not be left buried in the soil 

 next to the house, since this wood makes 

 a favorable place for termite develop- 

 ment near the foundation plantings. 

 The soil near the house should be well 

 drained, since low, wet areas are suitable 

 places for termites to start colonies. 

 If wooden stakes or supports are being 

 damaged by termites, substitute metal 

 stakes. Creosoted stakes or those 

 treated with a 5-percent solution of 

 pentachlorophenol are resistant to 

 attack, but to avoid root injury by these 

 chemicals they should not be placed in 

 contact with the plant roots. 



WHITE GRUBS 



White grubs (fig. 24), the immature 

 forms of May beetles (Phyllophaga spp.) 

 or "June bugs," live in the soil and 

 sometimes injure plants by feeding upon 

 the roots or underground parts. Other 

 grubs similar in appearance and causing 

 the same type of injury are the green 

 June beetle (Cotinis nitida (L.)) and the 

 Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica 

 Newm.) (p. 48). Annual larkspur and 

 phlox, aster, chrysanthemum, dahlia, 

 geranium, gladiolus, hyacinth, iris, priv- 

 et, rose, violet, and nursery stock are 

 among the plants attacked. The grubs 

 often feed also on the roots of grass on 

 lawns and golf courses, causing the grass 

 to die. The adult May beetles, during 

 their spring flight, eat the leaves of 

 certain trees and shrubs, and if numerous 

 may cause defoliation. 



