166 HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



of one or two segments that constitutes the pedicel or 

 peduncle and a more robust posterior portion composed 

 of several segments, called the gaster. Moreover, each 

 segment of the pedicel is expanded on the top side and 

 forms a lens or button-shaped knob, a character that 

 distinguishes ants from all other insects. 



The mouth of an ant is furnished with two pairs of 

 jaws, one pair of which, the mandibles, are very large and 

 strong. It is with these that the ants mine in the earth, 

 wood, or living plant tissues, fight their battles, carry 

 their eggs and young, cut leaves, obtain food, and do 

 many other things. On the head are also borne the two 

 antennae, which are very important organs to the ant. The 

 sense of touch is highly developed in the antennae. Ants 

 have one pair of compound eyes and three simple eyes. 



The posterior end of the abdomen of the queen and the 

 workers of many of our ants bears a sting, which, in some 

 species, is a very effective weapon of defense. 



THE NESTS AND ACTIVITIES OF ANTS 



The nests of ants, in a general way, consist merely of 

 a system of passageways or cavities communicating with 

 each other and connected to the outside world with one 

 or more openings. There are some species of ants that 

 live below the surface of the earth and have no openings 

 from their nests into the air except at the swarming period. 

 The style of construction and the materials used by ants 

 in making their nests vary with the different species and 

 with the environment in which the ants live. Moreover, 

 the nests are very irregular, especially when compared with 

 those of wasps and bees. 



