Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-23

'-N@
and has often been accomplished with
a variety of insects when taken soon
enough. We would like to suggest,
therefore, that specimens of ants Of all
kinds be sent in to the experiment sta
ton for authentic determination. We
will be very well pleased to examine
and report upon all such material sent.
Specimens may be sent through the
mail IL inclosed in any tight receptacle
We would suggest for this purpose the
use of an ordinary gelatin capsule.
These can be obtained at any drug
store The insects can be collected by
wetting the finger and putting 1t
quickly over the ants, and before they
can untangle themselves they can be
inclosed in the capsules. Put but a
single ant in each capsule, but collect
two or three at least of each kind. 1t
is very desirable to have considerable
number because of the danger Of indi-
vidual specimens being damaged; three
or four will be amply sufficient.
If more than one kind is collected
keep them separate and give the exact
locality of each. The capsules may be
inclosed In a small box and mailed ia
the chronological department, Univer-
sity of California.
Life History
The whole life history of the Argen-
tine ant has not yet been made out
Prof. Newell has given us the most
complete account of. these insects, and
has secured a splendid lot of observa-
tions which he will probably publish
later. As far as his studies have gone
there are only three forms in the case
of species--the worker ant, which is the
one commonly found about the surface
OF the ground, and the only one which
is ordinarily observed; the queen, or fe-
male, considerably larger than the
worker; and at certain seasons there
are often a considerable number OF
winged males. Young winged females
also occur at times In considerable
numbers. These soon lose their wings
and become ordinary queens. In every
nest there will be found a great NUM-
ber of ants In the early stages. Tht
eggs and very young ants are Otter
stuck together and are handled by th'
worker ants en- masse. Before tn
young grubs become half grown the.
will be cared for individually.
The ants are continually tending thes
young, feeding them from day to da,
and Transporting them about from on'
part of the nest to another to maintain
heat and moisture conditions most sat
isfactorily, and when one breaks into 6
nest he will observe the workers busy
trying to rescue these young insects
When the larvae become full grown
they transform into q pupal stage II
which the legs and other appendage;
of the full grown insect are readily
seen, but which are not capable oi
movement. This ant does not spin 6
cocoon In this stage as is common II
many species. Finally. just before this
ant emerges as a perfect insect, on.
can observe the color of the eyes and
o ~. .R .nAx hoOrfnTffaf
first as q pale brown, but before emer
gence becoming almost as dark as th'
older ants. Previous to this time thl
insects are almost pure white.
The Argentine ant Is persistent mes
builder and digs burrows everywhere
The nest, however, is not compae
affair, but consists simply Of burrows
often isolated from each other. Otter
deserted and then reoccupied, and Their
ia not the sharp distinction betweei
families which is observed among 81
many ants. Mother insects may b.
dwelling contentedly together; indeed
the ants of one district seem to form
one large family, no matter how man.
burrows or how many separate estab
lishments may be founded.
Means of Distribution
The Argentine ant seems to be con
| tinually on the move. Nearly every
where one can see long caravans o
ants occupied in transporting the youni
| from nest to nest. In this way after
colony has been established in one To-
cality 1t can spread throughout the sur
rounding region, though the rate o
progress of course will be small. Their
| are no data whatever to enable us tt
determine exactly how fast they nigh
go by this means. 1t Is likely, however
that they will only go fast enough Il
| provide for increase in numbers. They
will be able thus to completely occupy
the territory invaded, and the move
ment can be considered due to the neet
| for better feeding grounds. At the tim'
| Of the flight Of the winged insects II II
possible that more rapid extension
| might occur, but no ants are strong
| fiiers, and 1t is not likely that they
would make such progress as might b'
| made In q season by the ordinary mi
| grations of q prosperous colony INT
distribution from one colony to another
| distant center is doubtless alwayi
| brought about by artificial means. Tit
distribution in Louisiana is very goot
levidence along this line. The insects
are found In great abundance along tht
Mississippi river from New Orleans
southwark, where they were evidently
carried by driftwood In which they hat
established themselves, and In all othel
directions simply along the lines OF tns
railroad. The habit the insect has o.
constantly moving its colonies makes i
very easy for a colony to be trans
ported In toto having established itsel
In some bov of merchandise. Pottet
plants or even nursery stock with ths
earth balled would be very favorable
means of transportation of small colon
| les. It's introduction to California wal
very likely by rail, and it is likely thai
| it will very largely follow the mair
| lines of transportation In its distribu'
tion over the state. AS far as we art
aware, it is necessary for enough Of 6
colony to include one queen at least, K
be transported into q new region II
order to establish itself. Because o.
its habits. however, it would be very
easy to have this accomplished since
the colony brought into q region would
be very likely to remove from the pack.
age in which it was transported and
establish itself In the ground In Its new
home.
There are a great many remedies sug-
gested and in use for the control Of
ants. There may be classed In three
categories; First, destruction Of colo
nies: second, the. interposing Of bar
riers, and third, ant proof construction