THE ARGENTINE ANT AND OTHER EXOTIC ANTS 65 
on page 182 in the second volume of the same journal shows 
the correct details. 
The wing development of the female is weak, and in com- 
parison with the size of the body the wings are small. They 
would be of little use for flight, but could possibly carry her 
a short distance from the original nest. 
Following the information received regarding the presence 
of the ant at Balwyn, a tour of inspection was made of the 
district. This inspection was greatly facilitated by Mr. A. 
C. Thomas, a resident of Balwyn, and also Constable Barbour 
of the local Police Station. They supplied the approximate 
time of arrival and subsequent distribution of the ant in the 
district. The assistance of both gentlemen is greatly 
appreciated. 
The ant was found to be abundant and active over an area 
of one mile square. Although the weather at the time was 
cold and unfavourable for ant life, this species was causing 
a lot of annoyance and inconveniece in the houses. As a 
house pest this is as bad as any of the previously introduced 
species and very much worse than any of the native species. 
It is, however, to be dreaded most as a serious pest to farmers, 
orchardists, poultrymen and bee-keepers. 
A study of the distribution of the ant around Melbourne 
suggests that the species is spread by division of a large nest, 
the workers and females foraging far afleld. The chief 
method of distribution appears to be by garden plants and 
pot plants taken from one locality to another, but the cartage 
of fire-wood and such material throughout the districts is 
also a big factor. The dispersion of the ant to Dandenong 
was traced to a nursery where plants had been transferred 
from Balwyn. 
The nests are typical of most species of Iridomyrynex, but, 
generally, on a much larger scale. Nests were located in the 
ground, at the foot of fence posts, under bark on trees, in 
holes in trees, in the brickwork of houses and walls and in 
flower-pots in a plant nursery. One large nest was opened 
and from a section of the nest about eighteen inches long by 
four inches wide, thirty-seven females were obtained. As 
this nest extended the full length of the fence, about one 
hundred and eighty feet, it must have contained many 
hundreds of fertile females or queens. 
Four species of Iridomyrmex had been plentiful where 
this ant now holds control, but at present there is no sign 
of them in these areas, although many were abundant where 
