Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-22
LANGUAGE OF
SMALL INSECTS
TINY CREATURES THAT TALK,
E@ses- SING AND DRUM
Bee and HouseHy Buzz Their Tunes
% In Key Of ways Of Busy
~ Ants. q

W In Key Of F-Ways Of Busy
r. Ants. q
II language is confined 10 the vocal
expression OF emotions then the in
sFets are practically dumb, but in the
art OF expressing themselves in other
WAYS they are among the most bril-
liant conversationalists in the animal
kingdom. Many of the forms of expires.
sion are very rhythmieal and harmoni,
Gus. resembling the sounds of drums
and other musical instruments.
Insects express themselves fGently
and clearly by movements OF the body.
especially the wings, antennae and
laws. Emotions are wildly expressed
by gestures or actions. by wing vibra-
liens. thru breathing tubes. by the
friction of one body or organ against
another Just as there are men who.
without speaking word can tell vol.
umes. so the insect, knowing none
save the sign language, can make
himself understood. not only by his
fellows. but by the mankind as well
Very clearly is this Illustrated by
watching the ants in the process of
building home. All are intent on
their work. the sentinels watching.
Let some unseen danger, some in
olisitiye boy, perhaps. approach too
near and all is changed. The sentinel
instantly alert. thrusts out his
"feelers." jerks his body. stretches out
his head, open his jaws and stands
tnere quiverng. his every movement
expressing warning as clearly as tho
he shouted il.
Neither is vocal language needed in
the case Of the tarantula. who, when
suddenly attacked, rears on his haun.
ches, with his front legs thrown up in
striking position. The attacker
whoever he be, needs no words TO tell
him that his opponent is ready for
him.
The antennae language is perhaps
the most important of all. The an
tennal, or "feelers,' as they are most
frequently called. constitute the facial
equipment OF ants and many other in
sects. They are very delicate and are
almost always in motion, even when
the insect is asleep. A challenge to
fight is given and accepted by cross.
ing the "feelers," and two ants meet
ing when out hunting salute each
other by crossing the antennae
Altho this sign language is perhaps
the most important it is by no means
he only one. The insects have A
variety Of sounds which they make
use OF in expressing all degrees and
states of mind from simple content to
alarm. anger or anxiety Bv varying
tbe vibrations of the wings the in.
sect is able to indicate the state OF
its temper very clearly
II is an interesting fact that many
Of the sounds Of nature are keyed in
+. a fact recognized and made use OF
by musicians. Thus the monotonous
the bee are usually in the key Of +,
with the bumblebee hitting the bass
an octave lower.
The wings of the househy make $50
vibrations in a second, while the
foneybee has range of four notes,
from A, with 440 vibrations a second,
To r, with $3.50. This language also
seems to be understood by other spe.
cies for an angry wasp buzking near
an aunt hill will bring out the occu.
pants ready for battle.
There is one form of insect Ian.
guage which is somewhat of an ap.
prOach tothe human voice and it comes
from the thorax, the vibrations being
nioduced by breathing This power
II vocaiization is possessed by the
househy. 1t will be noticed that when
me wings are held fast by sticky fly
paper the buzzins still goes on. The
mosquito also has this gift.
An interesting event may some
tines be witnessed among bees. When
the old queen has left the hive with
swarm her successor comes forward
leans her thorax against the honey
comb crosses her wings over hel
hack and proceeds to pipe" her lay
The music is evidently considered
very fine. for the workers one ant
al cease their toll and stand motion
less until she has finished
Still another form of vocall2ng /,
one on the principle of the violin an(
mandolin. 1t Is that of regulated vi
bration, and is produced by rubin.
the thigh against the wings. Ths
,hirp of the cricket and shrilins o
the grasshopper are produced in thi
manner This undignified but ef
fective method of conversation is uset
most frequently in love commun
itations.
In Japan the vocalizaiions of Ger
tain insects are considered higl
form OF music, and to the natives tn
songs 81 the crickets and grasshor
pers are as charming as the voice 0
the canary bird to us. Ever since tn
tenth century the Japanese have beel
combining the insects in cages and
lucrative industry has sprung up il
Tokyo aud other towns.
A Sad Case.
Visitor--"What has become of you