TERMITES IN THE CANAL ZONE AND PANAMA. 13 
On February 16, 1922, these termites were found by Zetek and 
Molino on a ceiba tree (Eriod&ndron 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, D), and this is discussed in more detail under a subsequent 
heading (p. 15-16). 
SWARMING. 
Winged adults of Coptotermss 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 (PL 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 Coptoter?7ies niger may be a mechanical 
carrier of the nematode which causes "red-ring" disease of living 
coconut palms. A coconut palm (PL VII, A), about 5 years old. 
Description of Plate VI II. 
Interrelationship retween nematodes, the tebmite Coptotermes niger, and the 
"red-ring" disease of coconut palms: .1. Covered runway of termite built over-; 
night after trunk was sawed up into four pieces. At lower end is seen part of terml- 
tarium which had been cut through during sawing. The characteristic ring of the 
disease is very evident. This section is lower face of CC of the diagram (texl flg\ 1 I. 
H, View of teimitarium of termite found within trunk of palm. The tissues were 
abundantly infested with Aphelenchus eocophilus. 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 oi same termi- 
tarium. 
