On the Digestion of Wood by Insects

Abstract

1. The true wood-feeding insects do not depend on micro-organisms for the digestion of wood. Such insects are of two types: (a) Without cellulose-breaking enzymes. Insects of this type derive the necessary carbohydrates from the soluble sugars and starch in the wood they live on, and consequently such insects can only live in kinds of wood comparatively rich in these substances. (b) With cellulose-breaking enzymes. Insects of this type can utilise the cellulose of the wood through the activity of their own secretions. They therefore can live on woods very poor in the simpler carbohydrates. 2. Wood-eating insects with free-living intestinal micro-organisms (such as the termites and the Lamellicorn larvae) use the micro-organisms as direct food and derive no digestive help from them. Insects of this type are better referred to as micro-organism feeding.