158 



All the older houses in Kuala Lumpor are constructed almost 

 entirely of wood, and it may safely be said that few if any of these are 

 free from the insidious work of termites. 



It is outside the scope of this paper to discuss those species \\ hich 

 are of domestic importance, and all observations made concern Ternies 

 gestroi only, a species as far as I know not yet found in houses, but 

 which attacks among other trees the cultivated Para, and Rambong 

 rubber. (Heveabraziliensis and Ficus elastica). As much confusion 

 however exists among the planters here relative to the difference 

 obtaining between the various species of Termites and their habits, 

 and since the ability to distinguish Terme gestroi is of great importance, 

 a short account of the several species found on Rubber Estates, 

 together with description of the various castes found in the Termitaria 

 will be of much practical use. 



A great deal of the existing confusion has probably been introduced 

 by the common belief that T. gestroi confines its attacks to living wood, 

 and that no other species of Termite is to be found on the trunk of Para 

 Rubber trees. 



This idea is not only erroneous but very misleading. Termcs 

 gestroi attacks both living and dead wood, the latter in all stages of 

 decay, and other species of Termites are to be found on rubber trees. 



Previously the mere fact of rinding a species of termite in dead 

 wood was considered by most planters to be a sufficient criterion to 

 conclude that it would not attack rubber, and on the other hand any 

 Termite runs found on a Rubber tree were imagined to contain Termcs 

 gestroi, the tree being dealt with accordingly. 



But in the first instance the termite found in the dead wood may 

 have been T. gestroi, and in the second case the runs on the rubber 

 tree may have contained only species which was devouring the waste 

 bark and doing no harm whatever. The importance of distinguishing 

 T. gestroi from any of the others is thus evident. 



On page 161 is given a short description of the soldier of T. gestroi 

 which it is believed will be of use to those who wish to identify this 

 pest. 



Of the different castes found within the Termitaria (termite nest) 

 it is of importance to those whom it concerns from an economic point 

 of view to be acquainted with at least the soldier and worker, especially 

 the former as the distinction between species applies only to this caste. 



The number of castes contained within the nest of any species of 

 Termite often differs according to the species. The maximum number 

 present is King, Queen, Soldier, Worker, adult males and females, and 

 undifferentiated males and females. 



It is here only necessary to mention that the soldier of T. gestrci 

 may be distinguished by its larger head, which is usually chitinized 

 (hardened), and by its possessing a pair of powerful mandibles. 



Towards the latter end of the year a certain number of individuals 

 reacli maturity, vacate their nests, and form what are known as 

 swarms. This nuptial flight which with most species here takes place 

 between September and December is to provide additional nests with 

 Queens or to form new colonies. 



