. Entomology : with special reference to its biological and economic aspects. .Termite mounds afford shelterto scorpions, snakes, lizards,rats, and even birds, some ofwhich nest in them. The Aus-tralian bushmen hollow out themounds to make temporaryovens, and even eat the clay ofwhich they are composed, whilenatives of India and Africa areaccustomed to eat the termitesthemselves, the flavor of whichis said to be delicious. Ravages. — In tropical re-gions the amount of destruc-tion done by termites is enor-mous, and these formidable])ests are a constant source ofconsternation and dread. Thevemi
. Entomology : with special reference to its biological and economic aspects. .Termite mounds afford shelterto scorpions, snakes, lizards,rats, and even birds, some ofwhich nest in them. The Aus-tralian bushmen hollow out themounds to make temporaryovens, and even eat the clay ofwhich they are composed, whilenatives of India and Africa areaccustomed to eat the termitesthemselves, the flavor of whichis said to be delicious. Ravages. — In tropical re-gions the amount of destruc-tion done by termites is enor-mous, and these formidable])ests are a constant source ofconsternation and dread. Thevemit a secretion that corrodesmetals and even glass, whileanything made of wood is sim-ply at their mercy. Always avoiding the light, they hollowout floors, rafters or furniture, leaving only a thin outer shell,and as a result of their insidious work a chair or a table mayunexpectedly crumble at a touch. Jamestown, the capital ofSt. Helena, was largely destroyed by termites (1870) and hadto be rel)uilt on that account. In the United States and Europe few species of termites. Aluuiul of the ? cunipasb Icnnitrof North Australia.—After INTERRELATIONS OF INSECTS ;2i occur, and they do little injury as compared with the tropicalspecies; though our common Tcniics flavipcs occasionallydamages woodwork, books, plants, etc., in an extensive way,particularly in the Southern states. Termitophilism.—Associating with termites are foundvarious other arthropods, mostly insects. Their relations tothe termites are, so far as is know^n, similar to those describedbeyond between myrmecophilous species and ants. Theseterniitophiloiis forms, however, have received as yet but littleattention. Honey Bee For more than three thousand years the honey bee has beenalmost unique among insects as an object of human care andstudy. It was highly prized by the old Greeks and Romans(as appears from the writings of Aristotle, 330 B. C, andCato, about 200 B. C.) and actually worshiped as a symbolo
Size: 1115px × 2240px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectentomology, bookyear1