- 2 - 
buildlngs, causing much damage throughout the Neotropics; a genus that is 
very variable and in need of careful study for accurate species diagnoses 
Nasutitermes costali ng)- the termite that builds large, dark-brown carton 
nests on trees, with conspicuous dark covered runways leading to foraging 
sites; may frequently enter buildings when food supplies outside are reduced, 
causing damage 
In addition to these "pest" species reported by Snyder, Dominica has an amazing¬ 
ly rich array of dry-wood termites, vital to ecosystem functioning and vulnerable 
to extinction if habitat destruction occurs; reported from Dominica for the first 
time, as folows : 
Incisitermes nr. incisus - a very large kalotermitid living in sound dead wood 
in forests near the Cabrits and around Souffriere 
Incisitermes snyderi - an ecologically-versatile, very successful dry-wood termite 
found on most of the Caribbean islands 
Incisitermes sp.(?)- another large dry-wood termite, possibly a new species 
Rugitermes sp.- a genus of termites found previously only in northern South Ameri¬ 
can, Central America and some of the Pacific islands 
Glyptotermes prob. pubescens - a dry-wood termite whose soldiers have stome^- 
shaped heads that close off chambers in the wood against ant attack 
Nasutitermes ephratae - a carton-nest building termite ("duck ant") that lives in 
the area devoted to Bay Oil production, beside the road from Portsmouth; the nest 
has a smoother surface that the nest of N. costalis . 
Since I was unable to collect in the cactus-growing areas, in the well-developed 
forest areas near La Plaine, and in some of the areas used for agriculture pro¬ 
duction, I am sure that I missed many species. At any rate, this is a rich and 
diverse termite fauna. It shows exciting relationships with the fauna of Guyana 
and other northern South American countries. A proper appraisal of the biodiversity 
exhibited by the termites of Dominica will require systematic sampling, preferably 
with the aid of a competent botanist. It is an important fauna, well worth preser¬ 
ving 
Thank you for the many courtesies I enjoyed through you; I hope to write individual 
friends as work pressures let up. 
Please call Charles Pierre and give him my greetings, that was an excellent field 
fr^±p2 Also, please tell Phillip Atkinson out at Springfield that Don Davis says 
that the damage on the sample bay leaves is the work of some insect other than a 
Lepidopteran leaf-miner, maybe a beetle. Keep a watch, and collect further stages 
in alcohol. 
A detailed account will follow after comparisons with sufficient museum material. 
Good wishes for success in vour ventures. 
Sincerely, 
S > 
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