52 IMPORTANT AND FAMILIAR INSECTS 
The larva of the Thalessa makes its way along the burrow 
of the Tremex borer and fastens itself to the body of the 
borer, where it feeds upon the borer and thus kills it. In time 
the adult Thalessa emerges, 
ready in turn to do its part in 
laying eggs which will destroy 
more of these enemies of the 
tree. But if the Thalessa para¬ 
sites kill the Tremex borer be¬ 
fore it has eaten its way through 
the hard wood, then all die to¬ 
gether, because the Thalessa 
cannot cut an opening for itself. 
32. Ants. — The ants are insects which live in large 
families. Each family has many workers, and a number 
of queens and males. Certain kinds have, in addition, their 
soldiers which have strong mouth parts (mandibles). The 
soldiers do the fighting for 
the colony. Some ants 
are winged and others are 
wingless. 
33. Life History of the 
Ant. —In most ant colonies 
there are several queens. 
Unlike the honey-bees, sev¬ 
eral queens live in har¬ 
mony in an ant colony. 
The ant eggs are so small 
that they are scarcely 
visible to the unaided eye. 
The legless larvae hatch 
in a few days, being full 
grown in about two weeks. 
Pupation lasts about two 
weeks. The cocoons are 
Figure 43.—Thalessa Laying Eggs. 
The tree is infested with Tremex. 
Figure 42. — Worker Honey-bee 
Laden with Pollen. 
