126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, 



herds and have gone down but a few inches into the soil of which 

 their nest is composed. Again we may find a few of the ants 

 remaining among the herd of aphids or coccids as the case may 

 be. The only purpose of the ants for collecting these insects in 

 the Fall of the year is to supply them with food during the Fall 

 and Spring months when other food is not obtainable. 



We also find the eggs of aphids and coccids to be collected 

 and cared for by the ants. These, too, are wholly unprotected 

 from the frost, being set in a small orifice made by the ants under 

 the stones, and when the weather becomes warm enough for the 

 ants to become active they can easily be seen caring for them. It 

 is a fact that ants do collect both aphids and coccids and their 

 eggs in the Fall and release them in the Spring when their re- 

 spective food-plants are fit for them to feed upon. Notwithstand- 

 ing this we may find aphids and coccids at any season of the year 

 associated with the ants, but very few in comparison to those that 

 are found in Spring and Fall. That ants derive food from aphids 

 and coccids by sipping the excretions from the abdominal tubes, 

 and also that which exudes from the bodies in the form of sweat 

 forming a sweet waxy substance and a fungus growth which is 

 eagerly sought for and eaten by the ants is a well-proven fact. 



I have found many new species of aphids and coccids in ants' 

 nests which are as yet undescribed, and are now being worked 

 up by Prof. Cockerell and F. A. Sirrine and myself. As soon as 

 possible after their determination I shall try and give their habits 

 according to my observations, and I hope to be able to give new- 

 facts in the matter. 



Up to 1894 only nine different species of aphids are cited as 

 being found in ants' nests. Three of the genus Forda, one of 

 Paracletus, two of Tychtza, two of Phizobms, and one of Einc. 

 Of coccids eight different species had been so found, viz. : of the 

 genus Lecanopsis one, Ripersia three, Exceretopus one, Sperno- 

 coccns one, Orthizia one, Margarodes one ; of those that I have 

 found and that have been determined are Ripersia kingii Ckll. 

 (Can. Entmol. , vol. xxviii, p. 222-224, 1896) ; kingii is quite 

 frequently met with in the nests of Lasius flavius L., and Lasins 

 claviger Rog. Its color seems to be variable, usually of a dark 

 reddish shade inclining to purple when alive in the ants' nest, and 

 sparingly covered with white fungus or waxy substance. They 

 change to a violet still shading on the purple when put into alco- 



