1892. 1 307 



COCCIDS IN ANTS' NESTS. 

 EY W. W. SMITH. 



lu my paper " On the Origin of Ants' Nests " (p. GO ante), I gave 

 some account of the hahits of Bipersia formicicola, Maskell, which 1 

 stated inhabits the nests of Tetramorium striatum and T. nitidum at 

 Ashburton, New Zealand ; I also stated that " a larger and a smaller 

 species of Tetramorium''' existed on the Ashburton river bed. After 

 my paper was written 1 collected a good series of specimens of each 

 species, and sent them to Professor I'orel of Zurich. Before my 

 consignment arrived, Eorel had received specimens of T. striatum and 

 T. nitidum from Mr. H. Suter of Christchurch, New Zealand, who 

 collected them at The Hermitage, Mt. Cook. Both species were at 

 once removed by Forel from the genus Tetramorium^ where they had 

 been placed by the late Frederick ^Smith (Trans. Ent. kSoc, 1876, p. 

 481). The former now forms the type of Corel's new genus Huheria* 

 the latter he placed in Mayr's genus Monomorium (Comptes-rendus de 

 la Societe Entomologique de Belgique, seance du 7 Juin, 1890). The 

 two new species from Ashburton were also assigned to the latter 

 genus, and have recently been described and named by Eorei. 



When I wrote my paper I used Mr. ISmith's generic name, and 

 relied on his measurements in identifying the ants ; 1 now, however, 

 desire to state clearly that 1 have not so far observed the Ripersice 

 in the nests of Huheria striata. They occur in the nests of Mono- 

 morium K^uteri, Forel, M. nitidum, tSmith, and 31. Smithii, Forel. J am 

 the more pleased to clearly explain these matters, as the relations 

 of ants and Coccids are now receiving the well merited attention of 

 entomologists. The mutual relations of ants and Coccids dwelling 

 amicably together have recently been referred to by both Maskell and 

 Douglas, and as this line of research is almost untouched, the remarks 

 of these distinguished Homopterists should give a stimulus to those 

 commencing the study of the interesting subject. 



It has, of course, long been known to entomologists that several 

 species of ants frequent Co cc id -iniested and honey- dewed trees and 

 shrubs for the sweet secretions of these insects, but the mutual rela- 

 tions, or perhaps, the interdependence, of several species of both 

 groups will be of extreme interest and importance when fully 

 worked out. 



Ashburton, New Zealand : 



September 12th, 1892. 



* Trans. New Zealaud histitute, xxiv, p. 308. 



