82 BRITISH APHIDES. 



but apparently idle, tenant of the nest of the common 

 humble-bee, Bombus terrestris, and numerous similar 

 examples may be cited. 



As regards the association of ants and Aphides it 

 may be remarked that the light, sandy, and warm 

 locality chosen by Ants for their nests arc just those 

 which the subterranean Aphides would choose. Mr. 

 James Hardy, the active naturalist, of Cockburns-path, 

 Northumberland, who has paid attention to the root 

 Aphides not uncommonly found on the moors around 

 writes to me, " "When Fordaformicaria prevailed in the 

 nests of Formica fuliginosa I noticed that the ants 

 paid no attention to them when the hillocks were 

 disturbed. The Aphides slowly re-covered themselves 

 with earth, and those which failed to do so were left 

 quite unnoticed by the numerous ants running about 

 them." In other cases, and notably in that of Formica 

 umbrata, shortly after a similar disturbance, the 

 Aphides were carried off by the Ants, " and they and 

 I had a contest about a particular example." 



The Ants are in the habit of keeping open runs to 

 carry their offspring nearer to the light and heat, and 

 these runs afford convenient and free spaces also for 

 entrance of the Aphides.* In many cases the Ants 

 doubtless choose for their nest such tufts of grass on 

 a dry hillock as are already infested by Aphides. 

 This is a more simple operation than a marauding 

 expedition, attended by a forcible transplantation of 

 Aphides from the leaves of plants to subterranean 

 cavities, as noted by Huber. Such a change of life 

 seems to be very improbable, and involves so many 

 difficulties which it would be well to have removed. 



Goedartf was I think the first to observe the 



friendly relations between Ants and Aphides. He 



went so far as to imagine conversations between the 



two insects relating to the attacks of their enemies 



and the like. 



* Kale. • Hon.,' p. 210, " Veini Zutritt dcr kiihlern Luft von den 

 meiscn in eleven Gauge gesohleppt." 

 •f- Goedart, ' Do Inscrtiw.' London, los.y 



