Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-09-27
HORNETS AS PETS

HORNETS AS PETS.
The female hornet has rapid fire
armament with recoverable pro-
jectile. 1t uses 1t for both attack and
defence, and with remarkable aim
and efficiency The first stroke of
hornet is as penetrating as an cleo
trio shock. Al the base of its sharp
sting there is sac containing poison,
which, when injected into the sub
stance of its enemy. causes pain,
swelling and discomfort, facts TO
which most persons are able TO testi.
fly by experience Should the injec-
ton be upon the end of the thumb
or nose, or upon the tongue, there is
danger from it, Strong ammonia APP
piled to the wound is the best anti
dote. Yet the hornet when treated
politely and with gentle ceremony is
as docile as butterfly, says IA writer
In Farm and Fireside. In the noun
tains of West Virginia had wire
fly trap, which by the seductive influ
ence of molasses, persuaded the
house flies infesting my stave-built
office to enter. Once within, they re-
NAMED incarcerated until hot water
cured. For several days persistent
black and white striped hornet anus
ed me by its futile endeavors to seize
flies from the buzzing horde of pris-
oners. AT last it found its way in,
and, to my establishment, after cap
turing fly, found its way out 1t
had remembered the way of its en-
trance even in the excitement of the
chase. 1t did not paralyze it's prey,
as does the mud wasp and other spe-
cies. 1t did not stop to eat single
fly, SO far as my observation extend
ed. 1t had victualing job on hand,
and attended faithfully to it, Such
unselfishness excited admiration.
During one of its absences placed
my hand over the trap entrance, and
upon 1t laid piece of ripe peach.
Upon the hornets return it lit upon
my hand and ran confusedly over 1t.
yet soon tried to get under the COW
ering fingers. Failing, it went to the
peach and took hearty meal. While
it was eating l quietly moved my
hand from the opening. After prun-
ing itself the hornet entered and con-
tinued on its fly raid. After many
dozens of trips it brought comrade
with it. and personally conducted ii
into the fly pound Thereafter they
always worked together. To be sure
of this, by slow approaches OF an
affectionate finger | was enabled to
stroke them while lunching. ! mark
ed them both with spot of red ink.
Many continued experiences convinc-
ed me that hornets work in pairs,
like detectives. Several other hor-
nets from the same nest visited the
cage, tried to enter it. but found the
problem too much for them. In no
instance did the pair offer these III
structions or pay any attention 10
them. They all partook of my
lunches freely and in harmony. But
the favorite pair guarded their secret.
Were they selfish? Did they receive
special plaudits at the home nest for
their phenomenal success in fly cap
ture? Or were they simply governed
by hornet manners?
grew fond of these winged war
riors. introduced them TO my sew
eral fingers by placing tempting
sweets upon them. They learned to
come to me after they had emptied
the trap of prisoners, and gradually
became companionable. Following
the direction of their home fight, and
noting the range of trees. their nest
was easily found. 1t hung on the
end of branch of mountain rhodo-
dendron. The glossy, green leaves
overhangiDg 1t was undisturbed in
their position, but were SO built into
the outer layer OF paper-mache cover
ing as to give the best natural con-
cealment. Whether this was inten-
tional or not, or whether the leaves
simply became an obstruction as the
nest was increased in size by dis
mantling the inside and building upon
the outside, / do not know, but the
evidence was in favor of the engineer
ing, reason, intention, rather than ac
cident. Hornets We're the first users
of wood pulp for paper manufacture.
They make it from wood and leaf
fibre, and there are both forethought
and economy in tearing out the In
sides of their nests to make room for
larger tiers of cells in which to raise
their young, and in using the material
to enlarge the nursery.