268 



Insects. 



it, therefore, be absolutely necessary to the ants or their economy, 

 any more than a species of Aphis which I found numerous in some 

 nests, while in others I observed a Staphylinus (Astilbus canicula 

 tus, Dillwyn) ; and the first capture which T made in the ants' nests 

 at Mickleham, and supposed to be the Claviger, I found on exami- 

 nation was a species of Euplectus, apparently undescribed : from the 

 two latter insects the ants probably procure no exudation, but they 

 are notorious for obtaining it from the different species of Aphis. — 

 From another insect, the Atemeles acuminatus, Kirhy^ I have no doubt 

 a similar fluid is obtained by more than one species of ant. Some 

 years ago I was watching the proceedings of a colony of the Formica 

 rufa, or wood-ant, and, on scattering a small portion of the nest down 

 a sloping bank, I observed a specimen of Atemeles amongst the ants, 

 running quickly about until seized by one of them ; I searched 

 vain for more ; but in the nest of Formica fusca I have frequently 

 found them, and two years ago, whilst attentively watching the pro- 

 ceedings of that species, about the first week in May, just when the 

 young larvae are found, I observed an ant carrying an Atemeles in its 

 mouth towards the nest ; I searched further, and detected twelve or 

 fourteen ants thus employed, and I found them very reluctant to part 

 with their burthens : the Atemeles, like the Claviger, is furnished with 

 tufts of hairs, but they are situated on the lateral margins of the first 

 three or four segments of the abdomen ; there are also two processes 

 flocked with hair on the ventral segments ; this is perhaps an adapta 

 tion to the same purpose, as mentioned by Mliller with regard to Cla- 

 viger : in the Astilbus caniculatus before mentioned the tufts are 

 wanting, still the same end may possibly be attained by another 

 means. 



The affection of the ants for these little creatures is very great ; for 

 on removing a large stone from a nest of F. flava, ftiU of eggs, larvae 

 and pupae, I immediately observed several specimens of Claviger, one 

 pair in copulci, others crawling sluggishly amongst the larvae, &c., the 

 ants apparently taking no heed of them : I placed one on the turned 

 up stone, on which several ants were running; it was instantly seized, 

 and carried to the nest : I have tried the same experiment with Ate 

 meles with the same result, but I have also seen the Atemeles attempt, 

 to escape from the nest, pursued, and taken back ; this, from its 

 blindness and sluggish motions, I should expect is never the case with 

 Claviger. I am inclined to the opinion that the only purpose for 

 which these insects are retained by the ants, is for the sake of the 

 fluid which they extract from them ; I feel convinced that there arc 



