SLAVE-MAKING ANTS. 65 



browns disappeared. Whether they were 

 driven away, or finally left of their own ac- 

 cord, I am unable to tell. 



I found the ants were quite fastidious 

 with regard to the kinds of larvae and in- 

 sects which composed a large share of their 

 diet, wholly rejecting some, and very eager 

 to secure others. The oak worm (Dryocampa 

 senatoria) was refused in all stages of its 

 growth, but the chrysalids and moths of 

 this species were both taken within the nest. 

 Another larva (Eudamus titryus), which feeds 

 OR the locust, I supposed would be a rare 

 treat to the ants, as it has a soft, smooth, fat 

 body, and is very quiet during the day, hid 

 away between locust leaves which it has 

 sewn together with silken threads of its 

 own manufacturing ; but in this I was mis- 

 taken ; all species of ants turned away from 

 it, apparently in great disgust. But the 

 larva of the common yellow butterfly (Colias 

 philodice)j which feeds on clover, was greed- 

 ily sought for, and large numbers taken to 

 the nest. Also the Iarva3 of some geometer 

 which I did not recognize were taken from 

 the trees, the ants often ascending twenty 

 feet or more along the trunk of a tree, and 

 then running out on the branches to the 

 leaves where they secured the prey, and de- 

 5 



