256 ] The Wonderful Ways of Insects and Spider* 



these certain kinds of beetles, for example the ants use to obtain 

 savory secretions. Others are hangers-on, scavengers, thieves, or 

 enemies. Some of them to all outward appearances are ants. 



Among the best known are aphids tiny insects that feed on 

 the juices of plants and give off from their bodies droplets of 

 honeydew. Some aphids are popularly known as "ant cows." The 

 ants protect them and even carry them from one food plant to 

 another, "milking" them by stroking their back with their anten- 

 nae. The milk is the sweet, colorless fluid that we call "honeydew." 



OBSERVING ANTS INDOORS 



A child can get a great deal of pleasure by watching ants, 

 and he can learn a great deal about their habits, if you keep some 

 in your home provided the ants are there through your choice 

 and not their own, and you supply suitable living quarters for 

 them. One type of house that is easy to make might be described 

 as a glass sandwich. 



Use two pieces of window glass about ten or twelve inches 

 square. One will serve as the base, the other as the top. Around 

 the edges of the base, glue quarter-inch strips of wood that fit 

 snugly at the corners. Leave two openings in one strip that you 

 will use later one for food, the other for water. Inside the water 

 opening you keep a sponge that can be kept moist with a medicine 

 dropper. When you are not feeding the tenants, you can keep 

 these two openings plugged with cotton. 



How to Collect Ants: You are now ready to collect your ants. 

 Dig around a nest carefully with a small shovel or trowel, lift the 

 dirt with the insects into a carton and close it tightly to carry 

 home. Transfer both dirt and insects to the glass that you have 

 rimmed with strips. At this point you need to work quickly to 

 glue the other square of glass to this base and finally seal all 

 edges with adhesive tape. 



Place a piece of cardboard of equal size on top ants need dark- 

 ness most of the time. You can use two strips of adhesive as hinges 

 to attach this cover to one side, lifting the cardboard whenever 

 you wish to watch your insects at work. 



