130 CHERRY. LEAVES — ^CHERRY ANT. 



on this account much complained of in this vicinity in the spring 

 of 1850, being so numerous and active in some fields as to threaten 

 to cut oif every blade of corn in them. 



The species -which accompanies the plant-lice of the cherry 

 tree does not appear to have been described hitherto, I therefore 

 name it • 



The Cherry ant {Myrmica Cerasi). The neuters are 0.14 long, of a dark brown 

 color and slightly translucent, resembling resin; their abdomen is deep black and 

 highly polished, egg-shaped and acutely pointed at its apex, its basal segment covered 

 with minute punctures of an oval form placed longitudinally, and the remaining seg- 

 ments are similarly punctured upon their apical margins; the head, thorax, and 

 anterior sides of the legs are also covered with similar punctures, but more fine; the 

 jaws are reddish-brown and iave four teeih of equal size along Iheir inner edge; the 

 antennae are black, their tips brown and clothed with very fine short hairs, the long 

 basal joint punctured ; the legs are black, their bases and the tips of the shanks pale 

 brown, and the last joints of the feet brown ; a few gray hairs are scattered over the 

 head and body. 



The abdomen of this ant presents a curious appearance. It is 

 flattened upon its upper side and very convex ou its under side, 

 thus looking as though it was attached to the thorax in aninverted 

 position. This, however, .adapts it to the direction in which it is 

 frequently used — this ant being accustomed to throw its abdomen 

 upward over its head and back, thus presenting its sting to any- 

 thing which molests it in front. The venom of its sting has a 

 peculiar pungent smell which remains upon the fingers when they 

 ©rush one of these insects. This venom is ejected copiously and 

 may frequently be seen forming a small clear drop at the end of 

 the sting. And being thus armed these small ants are able to 

 defend themselves against other insects far superior to them in 

 size. It is wonderful to witness this ant conquer the large New- 

 York arit and rob him of his flock of aphides. This may be wit- 

 nessed by placing two or three of the cherry ants in a vial and 

 introducing into it a leaf of poplar or apple-lice with one of the 

 New- York ants attending them. No sooner does one of these 

 spiall ants approach, than, jealous of the intrusion, he seizes it by 

 its thorax in his powerful jaws, but is instantly informed of the 

 fact that it carries a stitjg in its tail and knows how to use it. He 

 is as prompt to drop his intended victim as he had been to seize 



