The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-24
CuBA's LEiF.CUTTING ANT.
The Alta Insuiaris i a Bad Insect ana MOI
Easy to Zone with.

An entomologist of this city has recently re-
ceived from Cuba some specimens OF a ieai-
cutter ant, Alta tnsui1ris. which Is exce1ed IN
destructiveness and ferocity only by the 10
nous African termite or great white ant IN
diyidual for individual it is not certain that the
Cuban specimen is not worse than the African
but IL does not, as tho termite does, march II
vast armies across the country driving all Nv
ing things betore II. Alta lnsularis is large ana
active, with formidable mandibles. The Gu
bans dread the insect. saying that where u
has once established itself it will drive all other
forms OF life away. Testimony OF white men
In Cuba goes far toward s~ubstanusuns INNS
statement.
The MAJ who sends the specimens cites 2
case where the alta inslilaris was. lntroducee
into the hills of another ant that had done mucn
mischief ON a, plantation. Though the m T.rt
corners were few they attacked the feH'uein
ants with immense fury and vigor, Deslegink
them in their own hill. and soon driving tnem
out and away or killing them. Inc gLouha
was alive with fugitive ants, lacking a leS or
two. or struggling along with their heaus Dls-
ten half or until ons Of the murderous leaI-
cutters would give chase and despatch them:
30 far everything was satisfactory 70 inc oWheI
OF the plantation, but now he FOUND tnht ne mao
q more formidable problem upon his handf.
The importations multiplied and spread WIN
great rapidity and soon owned the place. lney
killed poultry and rabbits and even calves.
One of the workmen on the place VINO took
o nap on the ground near theu NILS was hlt-
tackled and awoke to find himself swarming
with the insects and covered with bites. FOR,
tunately for him he had the presence OF mind
to run for a stream near by, tearing on ms
soant clothing as he went. and plunged IN.
He might have been killed had not he been near
water, and a. il was he was badly bitten ana
had TO keep to his bed for snvera! days rom
the effects of the poison. Methods OF exter-
mination which are effective against other spo-
cles of ants seem TO be of no avail in the case
of Alta insnlaris. Some time ago a Mr.. Yznsga
an old resident Of cuba, mentioned this ant II
his writings upon plantation cultivation there;
Il remember that my father some. years age
was advised TO propagate this ant IN ms cant
doing great depredations Ia the sugar. cane
That evil was most clectually stopped. but
on the other hand, the estate was ruined fol
several, years for breeding purposes. Ever
newly born children had to be watched, other
wise they would be bitten to death or have ther
eyes severely injured, In 1879 ] visited M
sAace with the idea of turning il into n cattl,
fanch and had 10 give 1t mp. The ants wer'
so numerous that they actually would pu
out burning charcoal. A hole was dug in III,
ground and embers put into 1t, SO many woul,
crawl over them that they would extinguisl
the fire. In 1876 they disappeared from TN
estate"
There has been some discussion here anon
entomologists a. to using this ant for the pur
pose. of Kidding farms Of field mice, wood
chucks. and other destructive animals. II
probable that the ant would also extcrminat
Insects Injurious to vegetation. But unit
some method can be found to control the raw
ages of the ant itself IL is not likely that an
experiments which might result in establish
Ing II in this country will be tried. The habit
OF the ant are not well understood. Som
without applicable cause. they will disappes
and only an occasional Speciman be fount
prowling on his solitary way and ready to n
tack anything of any size that gets in his pat