The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-05-31
An EFFECTIVE ENEMY
OF THE BOIL WEEYIL
ANT IN GUATEMALA THAT
WILL KILL THE PEST.
1t VIII Be Immediately Introduced
Into The Cotton States of
This Country.

Washington has announced that an
ant has been found in Guatemala that
is an effective enemy OF the boil
weevil. 1t will be Immediately intro
duced into the cotton states. The
greatest significance is attached to
the discovery, which was made by O..
F. Cook. the botanist in charge Of
tropical agricultural Investigations OF
the bureau of plant industry. Cabled
Instructions have been sent to him to
report Immediately to the department
what assistance he needs in the way
OF men and money.
During trip in Central America
last year Mr.. Cook dicovered cotton,
grown by Indians, which gave evil
dence OF being immune from the at
tacks OF the boil weevil, and on orders
from the department he later began
an investigation in certain points in
Guatemala and Mexico Mr.. Cooks
Investigations have been in more or
less accessible regions in the province
OF Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala. The
weevils are present there. but the in
restigations show that they are un-
questionably kept in. check by the
shape OF large reddish brown ant,
which is attracted to the cotton by the
food which its secures from sets OF
floral nectaries.
Mr.. Cooks Investigations show that
these ants spread themselves over
fields OF cotton four or FIVE to a plant,
and that they are constantly engaged
in the destruction OF the boil weevil.
Mr.. COX reports that the adroit and
business-like way in which the weevil
is disposed of seems to prove beyond
question that the ant is, by structure
and by instinct, especially equipped
for the work of destruction. and is, in
short. the true explanation of the fact
that cotton is successfully cultivated
by the Indians of Alta Vera Paz, in
spite OF the presence OF the boil
weevil
Special Bulletin.
After a conference with Dr.. B. T.
Galloway, chief of the bureau of plant
industry. DR.. L. o. Howard, chief of
the chronological division. and other
experts. Secretary Wilson, of the de-
partment Of agriculture had special
bulletin printed Among other things
this bulletin says:
"The ants, like the Indians. prob
ably came from the dry open interior
plateau region. where the centre Of
the aboriginal cotton industry of
Guatemala is still located To es-
tablish the fact of such an origin for
this useful insect would greatly in
crease the probability of its success
full introduction into the United States.
The acclimatization of thoroughly
tropical animal. requiring continuous
heat and humidity, could scarcely be
hoped for. If. however. the cotton
ant can survive long, dry season,
. and perhaps cold weather. in the ta-
bic lands of Guatemala, it might easily
learn to hibernate in Texas, as has
the boil weevil. The ant is much bet
ter able to protect itself against frost,
since it excavates a nest three feet or
more into the ground. Several have
survived confinement for twelve days
without iood. and seem now to be
thriving on a diet of cane juice. To
take worker ants TO Texas will be,
evidently. a very easy matter, but to
secure queens and establish colonies
NAV require considerable time and eN-
pertinent and a thorough study OF all
the habits OF the species.
Also Eats Centipedes.
ALTHOUGH the cotton seems to be
especially adapted to attract the ant
BY means Of its numerous hectares.
the insect is not, like some Of the