^J 



366 



tion, and it may, so far as one can see, remain as it is for ages 

 to come. The chief danger would be in the introduction of 

 some predaceous creature like Pheidole, which would be able 

 to occupy the great area of forest land and the country above 

 this, where Pheidole does not now exist. As no such insect 

 has been imjjorted in the course of the last century, it is on the 

 whole improbable that it ever will be." 



And, further, in discussing the ant fauna of the islands, 

 the author adds : 



''Pheidole megacephala is the most abiuidant of all the 

 foreign ants. In many parts it occupies not only the whole 

 open country, but also the forests to a height of about 2,000 

 feet in the mountains. In open country it sometimes becomes 

 established as high as 4,000 feet, and may be numerous at 

 three thousand. Usually, where forests are dense, it ceases to 

 range above about 1,200 to 1,500 feet of elevation, while in its 

 range, no matter how fine or how dense the forest may be, 

 the endemic fauna, save for a few forms, that can resist, or 

 are tolerated by the ants, is entirely exterminated. This native 

 fauna, especially of beetles, appears as if by magic, the moment 



the limit of range of Pheidole is reached ()f the 



native insects that are attacked by Pheidole. the Aculeate 

 Hymenoptera are the least injured. Even in the case of large 

 Crabronids and wasps of the genus Ody)ierus it is common 

 enough to find specimens with one or more workers of Phei- 

 dole, or Avith the great head of the soldier-form attached to 

 their legs or antennae, and we have noticed instances where 

 these strong insects have been entirely overcome by their assail- 

 ants." 



1914. Illingworth, »T. F. — Further notes on the breeding 

 of the Tachinid fly parasite on the cane beetle borer. Journ. 

 Econ. Ent. VII, 396. 



The writer places the small brown ant (P. meqaeephala), 

 at the head of the list of mortal enemies of the flies. These 

 ants -were troublesome at every stage of the breeding work ; 

 being on the ground about the cages in myriads, they swarmed 

 inside at the least oportunity. Carbon bisulphide was used 

 effectivelv for the destruction of nests in the cages. 



