﻿52 FIELD AND FOREST. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



The occurrence of aphids on newly formed and tender shoots of 

 plants is the experience and despair of every gardener. Having found 

 them injuring my chrysanthemums I resorted to the not very cleanly 

 method of destroying them by compressing the affected shoot between 

 the thumb and forefinger, crushing them at once. But, Mr. Editor, 

 you and the rest of mankind have no doubt read the pleasing lesson in 

 Kirby and Spence relative to these pests being herded as milch cattle 

 by ants, who sedulously attended upon them for the purpose of im- 

 bibing the saccharine liquid which exudes from certain par.ts of their 

 bodies. As nothing is said of other insects indulging in this practice 

 the negative inference was drawn by most persons that the ant is the 

 only one sagacious enough to have invented it. But as most insects 

 delight in absorbing sweet liquids it would not be astonishing to detect 

 others engaged in' it, as the sequel will show. Having noticed a con- 

 siderable entomological concourse on a tall thistle, (Cdicus lanceolatus,) 

 which had grown up in a neglected part of my garden, I found the 

 cause of it to be in vast colonies of aphids on the upper part of the 

 branches. With several species of insects, strangers to me, there were 

 at least three different kinds of house-fly, the most conspicuous for 

 activity and greediness being the blue bottle, with these were several 

 rose bugs, wasps and lady bugs — but one ant was discernible. A sort 

 of hum proceeding from the whole crowd as if considerable business 

 was being done. To enable me to study the whole exhibition I in- 

 vented the ridiculous manouvre of Paddy, who to convince his master 

 that he reported the time of day correctly, dug up the sun dial in the 

 garden and brought it to him that he might see for himself. I plunged 

 a wide mouth glass bottle over the whole assembly, cut off the branch 

 quickly and put in the stopper. The wasps were too smart to be caught, 

 but you will observe the curious association, the other antagonistic to 

 individuals, which a common object of interest had brought together. 

 I therefore submit the case for your observation, and such remarks as 

 may be suggested. — E. Foreman. 



The "honey dew" given off by these aphids, always attracts va- 

 rious insects, particularly ants, flies and wasps, the ants alone forcing 

 them to discharge it. A few species, however, often [seen with the 

 others, are present for the aphids themselves. — Ed.] 



