Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-07-18

In all places where plant-lice are assem-
bled in great numbers it is easy to observe
how excessively fond ants are of this sweet
liquid destined for sucking their young
But how do the ants manage to get the
plant-lice, and allow themselves to be, MS
we may say, MIXED by them9 Careful
watching on any plant or tree infested
with plant-lice on which ants are found
will recompense any one by showing the
acts of these peculiar insects. This is
their secret, and if you make much noise,
or disturb the plant, so the ants run here
and there, you will not find it out. If you
however, quietly approach, and better
with glass magnifying four Or five diam
eters in your hand, which you can hold at
proper focus from the plant, you may see
the ant approach IN aphis, and stroke him
with his antennR upon the abdomen, gen
thy and slowly ut first increasing in rapid
lty until this precious mama is exuded in
little drops, which are eagerly seized upon
and swallowed by the ant, who will then
bring his antenn9 to bear upon another
louise, who in turn will yield up the nour-
ishing fluid so much coveted. Thus the ant
will complete his repast. The aphis in no
way attempts to escape, and are always
found in greater abundance in the vicinity
of ant hills. Then that it is agreeable to
them would seem certain, from the fact that
the plant-lice having wings so as to easily
escape, prefer to remain and lavish their
sweets upon the ant the same rs their less
favored companions. Of the peculiar
manner in which the ant not only protects
and cherishes the aphis, but how he cares
for their eggs, and conveys the aphis to
new feeding grounds when the sap of one
plant has been exhausted, will be brought
out in my next article.
This secretion Of the pant-louse seems
to be more abundant than nature REQUIRES
for the food of its young, and where ants
are not sufficiently abundant to take due
care of this extra secretion. it is exuded
in the cool of the night, and forms what is
so well known as honey-dew. Trees are
frequently literally covered with it, and
the honey bee is not slow to point ont its
whereabouts. When not slipped up by the
honey bee it seems to be poisonous to the
leaf, and it will sooner get contorted and
withered than when thus slipped up. Hon
ey dew may, however, be deposited from
other causes. Some plants, by the sting
Of an insect. eXude a sweet juice. while
excessive dews will. rs | have observed.
cause the flowers to overflow,
rs it were, SO rs to leave sweet drops be.
hind upon the leaves after the water has
been evaporated; and again, as flowers
contain double the amount Of honey in the |
Il part may be evaporated and
thus deposited rs dew. The lice by their
continual sucking rapidly injure Whatever
plant they may infest. and are considered
one Of the greatest pests encountered by
he horticulturist
Many modes Of exterminating them
have been suggested. and some, no doubt.
have succeeded. Strong soap suds will
generally answer for house plants, and I
nave found earbolic acid soap suds, of
medium strength, answers well in the gar
len. If too strong it will injurc delicate
plants. When they have been once fully
cleared off of any plant or tree they will
rouble it no more that season, and are not
Is liable to do so in future years. To large
rees this preparation can be applied by Il
garden force pump, with sure success.