THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 67 



red ones that appear in such multitudes about old houses, and the large 

 rapacious black ones. The former will attack either larva or pupa, the 

 grease possessed by these boring larvae making them more sought for 

 apparently. The black fellows await the emergence of the moth, and 

 while yet soft from the pupa, before the wings have expanded, will rend it 

 to pieces in an incredibly short time. What effect these ants have on the 

 mortality in the field is unknown, for there would be nothing left to tell 

 the tale were the action not observed. So when two ants of similar char- 

 racter are noticed, it is wondered if they are there with intentions 

 against the owner. One is a small red ant, that occurs only in empty 

 galls, and which has taken up its abode there, as later the pupae are to be 

 seen. But what has become of the maritima larva, it is not usual for it to 

 be driven out by the mere presence of a visitor that is not hostile? And 

 with the other, a pair would usually be found in a gall containing a live 

 pupa, and they seemed to be very quietly awaiting events. So the matter 

 was referred to Prof. W. M. Wheeler, who knows so much of ants and 

 their ways, to prove an alibi in their case if he were able. His reply is as 

 follows : 



"I think you have misinterpreted the intentions of these poor insects 

 with regard to your moth larvae. 



" The smaller ant is Leptothorax curvispinosus, Mayr, an ant which 

 lives in small colonies and nests, by preference in hollow stems and galls. 

 It is frequently found in the galls of Gelechia, on golden-rod, and no doubt 

 would utilize the galls of Papaipema in the same manner. It is a timid 

 creature, which feeds on minute insects and the honey-dew that may be 

 spattered by the plant lice on the surfaces of leaves. 



" The large ant is the dealated queen of Lasius claviger, Roger. 

 This insect had no intention of molesting your moth larvae, as you 

 supposed, but was seeking a small cavity in which to found her colony. 

 The queens do not prey on other insects, but are plentifully supplied with 

 nutriment in the form of a large fat body, and they draw on this exclusively 

 while they are bringing up their first brood of workers. Of course, ants 

 will take advantage of any small, nearly-closed cavity with hard walls for 

 nesting purposes. This is especially true of small species, or the timid 

 queens who are just starting out to form their colonies, and, of course, we 

 would do the same if we were in their places ! " 



Aside from casualties already mentioned, an observer of the life- 

 history of maritima cannot fail to encounter the work of two animals that 



