Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1901 — The White Ant. [ARTICLE]

The White Ant.

Two peculiar cases have recently been discovered in Baltimore in th* form of the “white ant.” Walnut joist* in one of the best built residences and; also the platform of a public school have been found honeycombed by thea#Insects. The white ant (termes flavlpesj, however, is not white at all, norls It red, as the common ant, but a sort: of black. In the course of Its life It develops wings, but is unable to fly, which, when attempted, resalts in tb* wings breaking off. Its most destructive work is done before the wings appear. From the surface the work of decay is not apparent as the insect enters the timbers at the ends and bore* through lengthwise with the grain, the wood only being held together by fibers. Many Instances are on record of the ruin caused by these little pests.