60 Vict. PROviisrciAL Board of Hoeticultuee. 15 



Ants (Formicidce) are reported from all parts of the Province. There are many different 

 varieties of ants, the most generally troublesome one being the small red ant {monomorium 

 pharaonis.) Ants are well known to most fruit-growers in connection with 

 Ants as a Pest, green and other aphides, and will be noticed running up and down trees or 

 plants infested with them ; by some persons they are supposed to destroy the 

 aphides, while the true facts are that the ants, while feeding upon the sweet fluid or honey- 

 dew which exudes from the bodies of aphides, protect and care for them, will carry them from 

 tree to tree, defend them if possible from predaceous insects which would destroy the aphides, 

 and so are directly instrumental in increasing the damage done by these pests. 



To destroy ants, their nests should be located, then one or more holes, according to the 

 size of the nest, poked into it with a stick and three or four ounces of bisulphide of carbon 

 poured in, and the holes closed again with the foot. The fumes will penetrate the chambers 

 of the nest and will usually kill all or most of the inmates. 



Dr. Riley recommends the following : "A number of holes are punched in the nest by 

 means of a pointed stick ; a teaspoonful of the bisulphide carbon is then poured down each 

 hole, and a damp blanket thrown over the nest for a few minutes ; then the blanket is 

 removed, and the bisulphide exploded at the mouth of each hole, by means of a light at the end 

 of a pole. The slight explosions which follow drive the poisonous fumes of the gas generated 

 down through the underground tunnels, killing off the ants in immense numbers." 



As bisulphide of carbon vapour is very inflammable, care must be observed in its use. 



Ants may be prevented from ascending fruit trees by painting a narrow circle of tar 

 around the trunk, near the ground. It is also worth noting that the common guinea fowl is 

 very fond of their eggs, and will destroy their nests to get them. 



For ants in houses Dr. Smith writes that he obtains good results by dipping a sponge in 

 sweetened water, which should be placed where the' ants run. The news of its presence will 

 spread and the ants will swarm to fill the sponge ; when this takes place the sponge should be 

 taken up and dipped in boiling water. If this process is repeated for two or three days the 

 insects are seized with terror from the sudden lessening of their numbers and will abandon the 

 house and their nest as well. 



Fresh bones, from which the meat has been roughly scraped, may be used in the same 

 way and with the same effect. 



Specimens of tingis (Tingitidce) have been sent in for identification and reported as in- 

 jurious to the leaves of fruit trees. They are found on the undersides of the leaves — small, 

 whitish, flat insects with gauze-like broad wing covers, usually in masses 



Tingis. together. They suck the sap of the leaves. The insects are black or brown 



in colour. Some of the adults usually live through the winter, and the 

 females deposit their eggs in the spring, but sometimes eggs are laid in the fall and the winter 

 passed in that stage. For shelter in the winter fallen leaves are used, or the adult insects 

 creep under loose bark scales or into crevices. In the summer the insects may be destroyed by 

 using either of sprays No. 2, 6, or 7 with the spray pump, taking care to reach the undersides 

 of the leaves. 



Of this species of insects there are many members, some of which do considerable harm 

 to fruit and ornamental trees, and bushes. Rose bushes are especially subject to attack in 

 Victoria and adjoining districts. They usually feed on the undersides of 

 Thrips (Thripidoe) leaves, and take their food by suction, the infested leaves lose their colour 

 in spots. They are small in size, slender, and active-, with the head so 

 narrow that they seem to be pointed at both ends. The wings are laid longitudinally on the 

 back, are narrow and transparent. They run and fly readily ; some of them jump or spring 

 when disturbed. 



These insects thrive in hot, dry weather, hence become more injurious, as plants are less 

 able to resist them, so that in addition to destroying the pests the plants should, if possible, 

 be well watered and fed. 



Either the tobacco and soap (No. 6) or the quassia and soap wash (No. 2) will give good 

 results against these pests, but care must be taken to wet the undersides of the leaves. 



