210 Queries and Answers. 



and immediately an ant was despatched to fetch it back : I then observed 

 that the ant was very cautious as to the manner in which it seized the 

 aphis, evidently carrying it so that it might give the least possible uneasi- 

 ness to the insect. I several times disengaged it from the grasp of the ant, 

 which would not be deprived of its prey, but invariably seized the aphis by 

 the same part of the body (exactly behind the long legs), nor could I pre- 

 vent the ant from searching for it. At length the ant entirely removed its 

 prey; and on my disturbing the earth surrounding the endive, I observed 

 many ants conveying aphides to their cells. I removed one of the roots to 

 a considerable distance, into fresh mould; carefully destroying every aphis 

 upon it, amounting to some hundreds. Another root I also removed, 

 leaving a few aphides attached to it; after a lapse of some days, I looked at 

 both the roots, and found the first, which I had freed from insects, still with- 

 out them. They had not increased on the second root, but those that re- 

 mained were attended by ants, though at some distance from their former 

 quarters, and there were proceeding as 1 have before described. I had the 

 curiosity to taste the liquid which seemed to attract the ants, and which 

 they invariably yielded on being touched, and found it sweet, though 

 slightly bitter, arising, I have no doubt, from feeding on the endive. I 

 cannot discover this species of aphis on any qther plant. Query, is this 

 the puceron of Hubert, of which he gives so interesting a history in his 

 work on the ant ? Yours obediently. — Walter Hen7'y Hill. Newland, 

 Sept. 22. 1822. 



Aphides on Endive and Lettuce, (p. 104.) — If the insects described by 

 your correspondent Mr. Hill were environed by a white cotton-like sub- 

 stance, they are the same species which usually infest the roots of dandelion 

 Although it cannot be affirmed that " all the aphis tribe produce honey 

 dew," it is very probable that the excrement of all is of a saccharine 

 quality. Wherever ants are busy, they are in quest of something edible 

 (either for themselves or young: and where it is not spontaneously supplied, 

 they will destroy an insect, or nectariferous flower, to obtain it. — M. 

 ' Wood Leopard. — Sir, In answer to your correspondent A. Mathews 

 (p. 67.), I beg leave to state that the larva of the wood leopard does change 

 into a pupa, in the ti^ee just beneath the bark in a thin web. When ready to 

 change, it forces its way out by means of bristles or prickles on each ring 

 pointing backwards, so that as it alternately contracts and lengthens itself, 

 they catch against the sides of its hole, and enable it to push hard enough 

 to break away the bark into a hole larger than necessary for the escape of 

 the moth. I observed this in one which had penetrated a garden service 

 tree ; there were two more larvae in the same tree, which I did not obtain, 

 but I have now four from a quince tree, two apparently full grown, and 

 two half grown. Hence I conclude they are two years in a larva state. 

 In this as well as other respects (size and colour excepted), the larvae of the 

 wood leopard resemble the larvae of the willow goat, the pupae of which have 

 bristles on the rings likewise, and for the same purpose. — G. H. Clapton, 

 March 5. 1829. 



A vert/ minute Insect alighted on my coat sleeve ; I think it belongs to 

 Ephemera, and to the first division of Turton, having three hairs or 

 bristles. Wings two, hyaline, immaculate ; abdomen white except on the 

 back, the segments of which are spotted with dark brown ; under part of 

 the abdomen and legs snow-white; bristles of the tail white; head and 

 thorax dark. It approaches nearest to the E. halterata than any that I 

 see in Dr. Turton, who refers to Degeer's Ins. 2. tab. 17. fig. 17 and IS.j 

 but his description does not exactly agree, neither does he mark it as 

 a British insect. Length, about a line from head to tail, without the 

 bristles, each wing about a line in length, and as much in breadth. When 

 living, the wings being rounded and erect, they are nearly fan-shaped. — 

 Thomas Hawkins. The Haw, near Gloucester, June 18. 1828. 



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