H O W

A N D
W H Y
a
"l Why Wonder
T H E H O W A N D W H Y W O N D E R B O O K O F
A N T S
A N D
I M
Wr i t t en by
RONAL D N. ROOD
I l l ust r at ed by
CY NT HI A I LI FF KOEHL ER
and AL VI N KOEHL ER
Edi t or i al Pr oduc t i on:
DONAL D D. WO L F
% * * *
Edi t ed under t he super vi si on of
Dr . Paul E. Bl a c k wo o d
Was hi ngt on, D. C.
Text and i l l ust r at i ons appr ov ed by
Oak es A. Wh i t e
Br ook l y n Chi l dr en' s Mus eum
Br ookl yn, New Yo r k
GROSSET & D U N L A P * Pu b l i s h e r s - N E W Y ORK
I n t r o d u c t i o n
Anyone who doubt s t hat t r ut h is st r anger t han fiction need onl y st udy
the habi t s of t he social insects t o have his opi ni on changed. For t he life
pat t er ns of these six-legged ani mal s reveal event s of sheer wonder t hat coul d
scarcel y be i magi ned by t he best fiction wri t er.
Scientists have st udi ed t he social insects for cent uri es, and a fairly
compl et e pi ct ur e of t he pecul i ar and fasci nat i ng behavi or of ithese i nsect s is
avai l abl e. Thi s How and Why Wonder Book accur at el y pr esent s t he essential
charact eri st i cs of t he four families of social i nsect s bees, wasps, ant s and
t ermi t es.
To a casual observer, many of t he act i ons of social i nsect s may appear
st range. Ar e danci ng bees really danci ng? Ar e bumbl ebees bei ng mi schi evous
when t hey wal k up t o an i nt r uder and pl ast er it wi t h a gl uey mess of honey?
What ever t he appear ance of such act i ons t o a casual observer, close st udy
shows t hat t hey ar e i mpor t ant t o t he insects in bui l di ng and mai nt ai ni ng
their insect society.
It is possi bl e for anyone t o wat ch social i nsect s at close r ange. Thi s can
be done at home or in school by maki ng an obser vat i on nest. Di r ect i ons for
maki ng one ar e found in this book. Such a proj ect is fun as well as i nst ruc-
tive for i ndi vi dual s or class gr oups.
The st udy of social insects is a par t of t he sci ence cour se in many
schools. For this reason, The How and Why Wonder Book of Ants and Bees
will be a useful addi t i on t o bot h home and school l i brari es.
Paul E. Blackwood
Dr. Blackwood is a professional employee in the U. S. Office of Education.
This book was edited by him in his private capacity and no official support or
endorsement by the Office of Education is intended or should be inferred.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 62-9677
1962, 1971. Grosset & Dunlap. Inc.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
Published simultaneously in Canada. Printed in the United States of America.
1972 PRINTING
C o n t e n t s
Page
SOCIAL INSECTS 4
BEES 6
THE CASTLE OF WAX 6
What is inside the wax castle? 6
How many rooms does it have? 6
What d6 the nurse bees do? 6
Why do bees evaporate their honey? 6
How many bees live in a hive? 8
What is the job of the drone bee? 8
What causes the "song of the hive"? 9
How do bees keep their hive clean? 9
THE MAGIC OF BEES 10
How does a new bee get its food? 11
How does the baby bee grow? 11
What does a new worker do? 12
How is beeswax made? 12
What is the bee's tool kit? 13
THE DANCE OF THE BEES 14
How do bees tell direction? 14
How do bees communicate? 14
Why does a bee die when it stings? 15
THE CAPTIVE QUEEN 16
What does the new queen look like? 16
Why does she kill her sister queens? 16
What happens to the old queen mother? 17
What is a "swarm day"? 17
How is the queen like a prisoner? 18
What happens to the drones after mating? 19
How many eggs does the new queen
produce? 19
What happens if the queen is taken away? 19
How long does the queen live? 19
BEES WITHOUT A HIVE 20
How do stingless bees fight enemies? 20
How is a queen bumblebee like a
mother bird? 20
What are the bumblebee's enemies? 22
What are "callows"? 22
How is honey used by bees for defense? 22
What is a carpenter bee? 23
How do mason bees build their homes? 23
How many kinds of bees are known? 23
WASPS 24
THE HELPFUL WASPS 24
What is a fig wasp? 24
How many kinds of wasps are there? 24
How do wasps help farmers? 24
Why do some wasps drill into trees? 25
What asp is a hitchhiker? 25
How do hunter wasps feed their young? 26
What do gall wasps do? 26
THE PAPER PALACE 27
When was paper originally made? 27
How do wasps make paper? 27
Page
Where can wasp nests be found? 27
What is a hornet? 27
How do baby wasps live? 28
How do the new wasps help in the nest? 28
How are queen wasps produced? 29
What happens to the wasps in the fall? 30
ANTS 31
THE FOREST OF GRASS 31
When do the winged ants fly? 31
Who are their enemies? 32
What does the queen do with her wings? 32
What do the new larvae eat? 33
What are "minims"? 33
HOW ANTS FIND FOOD 34
Do ants lay down a trail? 34
What is pheromone? 34
ARMIES ON THE MARCH 36
How do the army ants live? 36
How many kinds of ants are known? 37
What ants have slaves? 38
How are some ants useful? 38
What are ant farmers? 38
How do ants keep "cows"? 38
What are honey ants? 39
How do ants protect their nests? 39
How large are ant hills? 39
TERMITES 41
THE WOODEN CAVERN 41
What are newborn termites like? 41
What food does it eat? 41
How is a termite's food digested? 41
Why are termite nests closed? 42
How long do termites live? 42
What is a termite "flight day"? 42
How long do royal termites live? 43
Why is the queen called an egg-machine? 43
How large are termite houses? 43
What are soldier termites? 43
What is a "nasute"? 44
How many kinds of termites are there? 44
INSECT INTRUDERS 44
How can a moth destroy a honeycomb? 44
What are some of the other hive-robbers? 45
What insects invade nests of wasps? 45
What is the "paralyzer"? 45
What are some other ant visitors? 45
What creatures live in termite homes? 46
What is a Jerrymunglum? 46
YOUR INSECT ZOO 47
How can you watch bees at home? 47
How can you watch wasps? 47
How can you make a nest for ants? 47
How can termites be kept? 48
What is the best insect zoo of all? 48
i w
" ^^^0m\ff*'\^^"'
' ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ B
B
The female of the Citheronia
Regalis moth lays her eggs
on the bark of a sumac tree
and moves on, spending no
time in caring for the young.
The wasp, like the moth, is a member
of the insect world and takes care of
its young. Here you see some of the
many workers feeding the babies in
the wasp's nest.
S O C I A L I N S E C T S
T h e f e ma l e mo t h c r e e p s s l owl y a l o n g
a t r e e l i mb. Fi n a l l y s he s t ops a n d l ays
a f e w eggs . T h e y s t i ck t o t h e b a r k .
T h e n s he c r a wl s a wa y .
Wh e n h e r b a b i e s h a t c h , t h e y mu s t
ma k e t he i r wa y b y t he ms e l ve s . T h e r e
a r e n o p a r e n t s t o p r o t e c t t h e m. Al o n e ,
t he y mu s t find f ood a n d hi de f r o m
t he i r e ne mi e s .
Mo s t o t h e r i ns e c t s d o t h e s a me t hi ng.
T h e mo s q u i t o s et s h e r e ggs af l oat o n a
l i t t l e r af t . Wa l k i n g - s t i c k i ns e c t s j us t
d r o p t he i r s o n t h e g r o u n d . Ot h e r i ns ect s
p l a c e t he i r e ggs wh e r e t he i r y o u n g ma y
find f o o d a n d s hel t er . T h e n t h e y l e a ve
t h e m f or e ve r .
H o w s t r a n g e i t is, t h e n , t o see a wa s p
c a r i n g f or h e r b a b i e s ! Sh e b r i n g s f ood,
c h e ws i t u p unt i l i t i s sof t a n d p l a c e s i t
i n t he i r l i t t l e mo u t h s . Sh e l i cks t h e m,
s t r oke s t h e m wi t h h e r a n t e n n a e , o r
" f eel er s , " a n d b u i l d s a s he l t e r t o k e e p
o u t t h e s u n a n d t h e r a i n. I f d a n g e r
s t r i kes , s he flies t o wa r d i t , e v e n if i t i s
a n a n i ma l a t h o u s a n d t i me s h e r si ze.
Of al l t h e i ns ect s , o n l y be e s , wa s p s ,
a n t s a n d t e r mi t e s t a k e c a r e of t he i r
f ami l i es . T h e f ami l y, i n t u r n , h e l p s t h e
mo t h e r t o c a r e f or h e r l a t e r of f s pr i ng.
Be c a u s e of t hi s , a n d a l s o b e c a u s e t he s e
i ns ect s l i ve i n l i t t l e g r o u p s o r s oci et i es ,
t he y a r e c a l l e d " s oc i a l i ns e c t s . "
No b o d y i s s ur e h o w t h e s oci al h a b i t
d e v e l o p e d . Bu t s ci ent i s t s h a v e n o t i c e d
a n i nt e r e s t i ng t hi ng. Of t e n , a s s o o n a s
t h e y o u n g i ns e c t s a r e gi ve n f ood, t h e y
p r o d u c e l i t t l e b u b b l e s of s al i va. T h e
A bee will defend the hive against a larger enemy.
Ants, like bees, are social insects. The fire ants above
carry a larva and a cocoon to a safer place. Below
are two termites licking each other. This is a process
that, according to scientists, helps to keep the insect
family together.
a d u l t i ns e c t s l i ck u p t h e s al i va qui c kl y.
T h e n t h e a d u l t s p r o d u c e mo r e s al i va,
wh i c h o t h e r a d u l t i ns e c t s l i ck u p .
Do e s t hi s s peci al s u b s t a n c e i n t h e
b u b b l e s h e l p t o k e e p t h e i ns e c t f a mi l y
t o g e t h e r ? Ma n y s ci ent i s t s . t hi nk so.
T h e y cal l t h e p r o c e s s trophallaxis o r
" n u r s i n g t o g e t h e r . " A s o n e s ci ent i s t
s ai d, " T o o t h e r s i n t h e ne s t , e a c h i ns e c t
mu s t b e a l i vi ng l ol l i pop. "
Wh a t k i n d s of h o me s d o t he s e i ns e c t s
h a v e i n t he i r h o l l o w t r e e s a n d p a p e r
ne s t s ? Wh a t h a p p e n s af t er t h e y h a v e
g o n e t h r o u g h t h e e n t r a n c e hol e a n d di s-
a p p e a r e d f r o m s i ght ? T h i s b o o k h e l p s
t o t el l t he i r wo n d e r f u l s t or y.
B E E S
A worker bee on a honeycomb.
(actual size)
T h e C a s t l e o f W a x
T h e h o n e y b e e s c o me f r om e ve r y di -
r e c t i on. E a c h o n e finds t h e t a r g e t a n
o p e n i n g o n l y a n i n c h wi de . Ou t of t hi s
o p e n i n g s t r e a m o t h e r h o n e y b e e s , ci r-
cl i ng f or a mo me n t be f or e t h e y d a r t
a wa y . T h e wa x c a s t l e of t h e b e e s i s h u m-
mi n g wi t h life.
What is inside
the wax castle?
I ns i de t h e o p e n i n g is a n a ma z i n g s cene.
N o f a c t o r y e ve r r a n
wi t h mo r e bus t l e
a n d act i vi t y. Ha n g -
i ng f r om t h e r oof a r e h e a v y c u r t a i n s of
wa x . T h e y ma y b e l a r ge r t h a n t hi s b o o k
a n d f our t i me s as t hi c k. O n b o t h si des
of t he c u r t a i n s a r e c ount l e s s h o n e y b e e s ,
p o k i n g t he i r h e a d s i nt o h u n d r e d s of
l i t t l e cel l s o r c h a mb e r s .
Th i s i s t h e cas t l e of t e n t h o u s a n d r o o ms .
E a c h cel l of t h e
How ma ny r ooms . , . . . ,
,
A
, c u r t a i n s i s a l i t t l e
does it have? .
r o o m b y i t sel f . Al -
t h o u g h we of t en s p e a k of t h e c u r t a i n s
a s " h o n e y c o mb , " a g r e a t ma n y of t h e m
d o n o t c o n t a i n h o n e y a t al l . T h e cel l s
of t he b r o o d c o mb e a c h h a v e a s ma l l
i n h a b i t a n t a g r u b l i k e l a r v a t h a t wi l l
s oon t u r n i nt o a n e w h o n e y b e e . F o r t h e
l a r va , t h e cel l i s a c r a dl e , l i vi ng r o o m
a n d b e d r o o m c o mb i n e d . T h e l a r va s t ays
i n i t f r o m t h e d a y i t h a t c h e s unt i l t h e
d a y i t is f ul l y g r o wn .
Nu r s e be e s a r e wa l k i n g al l ove r t h e
b r o o d c o mb . Some -
wh a t do t he .. . , . . .
. . t i me s t he y p u t t hei r
nur se bees do?
J r
f eet r i ght o n t h e
h e a d s of t h e ba bi e s . On e af t er t h e o t h e r ,
t he y b e n d d o wn a n d p o k e t he i r h e a d s
i ns i de t h e cel l s. T h e y f e e d a n d l i ck t he i r
l i t t l e s i s t er s i n t he i r c r a dl e s .
T h e r e i s a n o t h e r k i n d of cel l o n t he
e d g e of t h e c o mb . I t i s mu c h l a r g e r t h a n
t h e ot he r s . I t l o o k s a l mo s t l i ke a p e a n u t
shel l ma d e o u t of wa x . I ns i de i t i s a
l a r v a j us t l i ke t h e t h o u s a n d s of o t h e r s
o n l y a l i t t l e l a r ge r . Th i s s t r a n g e cel l
mu s t b e s o me t h i n g s peci al t o b e off o n
t h e s i de of t h e c o mb wh e r e i t c a n h a v e
p l e n t y of r o o m. I n d e e d i t i s, f or i t i s t h e
r o y a l n u r s e r y of t h e l a r va t h a t wi l l s oon
b e c o me t h e n e w q u e e n .
Ov e r o n t h e t r u e " h o n e y c o mb , " s ome-
t h i n g s t r a n g e i s t a k i n g
Why do bees
p l a c g B e e a f e w a l k
.
evaporate , , .,
their honey?
m
S f^
t h e
hal f-fi l l ed cel l s, be a t -
i ng t he i r wi n g s a s if t h e y we r e t r yi ng t o
fly. A s t h e b r e e z e f r om t he i r wi ngs f a ns
a c r o s s t h e cel l s, i t ma k e s t h e s we e t l i qui d
e v a p o r a t e . A cel l t h a t wa s filled wi t h
h o n e y ma y b e o n l y t h r e e - q u a r t e r s ful l
t h e n e x t d a y a s a r e s ul t of t h e ai r f r om
t he i r wi ngs . T h i s s e e ms l i ke a wa s t e
t o b r i n g i n n e c t a r f r o m t h e flowers a n d
t h e n e v a p o r a t e i t s o t h e r e i s n o t mu c h
l eft . Bu t o n e t a s t e of t h e l i qui d wi l l t el l
wh y i t i s d o n e . T h e s u g a r t h a t s t ays be-
h i n d a s t h e wa t e r e v a p o r a t e s ge t s t h i c k e r
a n d s we e t e r .
The wild beehive in a
hollow tree clearly
shows the various
combs, hanging down
l i ke curt ai ns and
drapes in a home.
p 1" 1
iS%
i t f i
f n
i IrJ',,
, . * ,
. J
/ W O R K E R
T h e r e a r e " p a n t r y cel l s , " t o o , f or
s t or a ge of p o l l e n a s f ood. Bu t i n a n o t h e r
p a r t of t h e hi ve i s a c o mb t h a t s e e ms
de s e r t e d. E a c h of t h e cel l s h a s b e e n cov-
e r e d wi t h a wa x c a p . T h e y h a n g h e a v y
a n d st i l l , a s if t h e y h a v e b e e n f or got t e n.
Bu t t he y a r e filled wi t h g o l d e n t r e a s u r e
t h e n e c t a r b r o u g h t f r om t h e fields
a n d c h a n g e d i n t h e b o d i e s of t h e b e e s
i nt o t hi c k, r i c h h o n e y . E a c h p o u n d of
it is t h e wo r k of ma n y be e s . S o me t i me s
PROBOSCIS
HEAD
COMPOUND
EYE
ANTENNA
OCELLI
THORAX
POLLEN-COLLECTING
HAIRS ON LEG
STING
The form, structure and vital parts of a bee (worker).
The building of queen
cells gets special at-
tention. They are larger
than the other cells and
are built at the edge
of the comb so that they
get more air. Some of
the cells above are
under construction. The
one at the right is ready
to receive an egg.
r.j * '& " >*"< ' - V MP I MP ^BP7
M r
A living fan to condition air and condense honey.
t h e y h a v e t o ma k e mo r e t h a n t hi r t y- f i ve
t h o u s a n d t r i ps i n t o t h e fields t o p r o d u c e
a s i ngl e p o u n d of h o n e y .
T h e r e ma y b e t hi r t y t h o u s a n d be e s i n
t h e hi ve, a n d e a c h o n e
How ma ny
h a &
-
Q b t Q d o T h e r e
bees live ,
c
r^,
. .
0
a r e n o l oaf er s . T h e r e a r e
in a hi ve?
n o s upe r vi s or s t o s ee
t h a t al l a r e wo r k i n g . E v e r y b e e d o e s i t s
wo r k wi t h o u t b e i n g t ol d. T h e r e a r e
e n o u g h wo r k e r s of e a c h k i n d nur s e s ,
h o n e y - f a n n e r s , p o l l e n - g a t h e r e r s a n d
wa x - ma k e r s . If t h e hi ve ge t s t o o h o t ,
s o me of t h e be e s set u p a n ai r c u r r e n t
wi t h t he i r wi n g s a s a ve nt i l a t i on s ys t em.
If mo r e wa x i s n e e d e d , e xt r a be e s set
a b o u t ma k i n g i t .
Su d d e n l y o n e b e e a p p e a r s t h a t l o o k s dif-
f e r e nt f r o m t h e ot he r s .
Wh a t is t he
I t s h e a d s e e m s t Q b e
job of the , , ,
' .
9
c o m p l e t e l y c o v e r e d
wi t h t wo h u g e eyes,
l i ke a h e l me t . I t s l egs a r e s h a p e d differ-
e nt l y; i t s b o d y i s l onge r . I t wa l k s u p t o
a wo r k e r b e e a n d s e e ms t o a s k f or f ood.
T h e wo r k e r s t o p s wo r k a n d gi ves i t a
bi t of h o n e y . T h e n i t goe s t o a n o t h e r f or
mo r e f ood, a n d s o on. H o w s t r a n g e t o
s ee t hi s k i n d of b e e i n a bus t l i ng hi ve
wh e r e al l t h e o t h e r s a r e wo r k i n g !
Ye t t hi s b e e h a s a j ob, t oo. I t i s o n e
of t h e mo s t i mp o r t a n t of t he bees . I t i s a
d r o n e , o r ma l e be e , o n e of a f ew d o z e n
b r o t h e r s a mo n g t h e t h o u s a n d s of
wo r k e r si st er s. I t s j o b wi l l be gi n wh e n
t h a t p e a n u t - s h a p e d q u e e n cel l h a s
o p e n e d a n d t h e n e w q u e e n h a s ma d e h e r
8
If there is not enough
food available, a worker
might evict a drone
from the hive.
The drone, unable to
eat by itself, is fed by
workers or it starves.
wa y i nt o t h e wo r l d . F o r i t mu s t p r o v i d e
mi l l i ons of t i ny s p e r m cel l s t h a t t h e
q u e e n b e e s t or e s i n a s peci al p o u c h i n
h e r b o d y . T h e n , j us t be f or e s he p l a c e s
n e w eggs i n t h e b r o o d c o mb , s he f er t i -
l i zes e a c h o n e wi t h a s p e r m cel l , s o t h a t
i t c a n d e v e l o p i n t o a n e w wo r k e r .
On c e i t wa s t h o u g h t t h a t t h e d r o n e s
we r e l a z y b e c a u s e t h e y d i d n ' t h e l p wi t h
t h e hi ve dut i e s . Bu t n o w we k n o w t h a t
t he y c o u l d n ' t he l p, n o ma t t e r h o w mu c h
t he y wa n t e d t o. Th e i r l egs, h e a d s a n d
bodi e s a r e n o t s h a p e d r i ght f or f as hi on-
i ng t h e wa x i n t o t h e pe r f e c t l i t t l e c h a m-
ber s . T h e y d o n ' t e v e n h a v e a s t i ng wi t h
wh i c h t h e y c a n h e l p t o dr i ve a wa y ene-
mi es . T h e y j us t h a v e t h o s e i mp o r t a n t
l i t t l e s p e r m cel l s, r e a d y t o b e gi ve n t o
t he q u e e n i n ma t i n g .
What causes the
"song of the hive"?
T h e " s o n g of t h e h i v e " i s a s t e a dy, hi gh-
p i t c h e d h u m. I t
i s ma d e b y t h e
wi n g s of t h e b e e s
as t h e y go a b o u t t he i r wo r k . Su d d e n l y
t he s ong b e c o me s l o u d e r . T h e n s c r a t c h-
i ngs a n d s q u e a k i n g c a n b e h e a r d . A
mo u s e h a s t r i e d t o s t eal t h e h o n e y . Bu t
t he be e s a r e a l wa y s o n t he i r g u a r d . T h e y
a t t a c k t h e mo u s e a n d dr i ve i t a wa y f r o m
t he i r ne s t .
So me t i me s t he i r a t t a c k i s so fierce
t h a t t h e y ki l l t h e mo u s e . T h e n t h e y h a v e
a r e a l p r o b l e m. I t ' s a l mo s t l i ke h a v i n g
a d e a d e l e p h a n t i n t h e l i vi ng r o o m. I f
t h e y d o n ' t d o s o me t h i n g qui c kl y, t h e
o d o r of t h e mo u s e wi l l s poi l t h e h o n e y .
Bu t h o w c a n t h e y ge t s u c h a bi g cr ea-
t u r e o u t of t h e hi ve ?
T h e a n s we r l i es i n a n o t h e r k i n d of
b u i l d i n g ma t e r i a l u s e d
b y b e e s p r o p o l i s o r
" b e e - g l u e . " Qu i c k l y
t h e y ge t t h e s t i cky
ma t e r i a l f r o m c e r t a i n b u d s a n d t wi gs .
How do bees
keep their
hive clean?
T h e n t he y wo r k i t i nt o a l i qui d wh i c h
t he y us e t o c ove r t h e d e a d mo u s e . Wh e n
i t dr i es , i t l o o k s l i ke t o u g h b r o wn p a i n t .
T h e mo u s e i s s e a l e d i n i t s o wn l i t t l e
t o mb , r i ght i ns i de t h e hi ve.
Th i s is j us t o n e me t h o d of g a r b a g e
di s pos a l . T h e be e s k e e p t he i r hi ve c l e a n
a t al l t i mes . An y t h i n g t h a t d o e s n ' t be-
l ong t h e r e ge t s d u mp e d out s i de . Some -
t i me s a wo r k e r wi l l d r a g o u t a p r o t e s t i n g
d r o n e a s if h e we r e a pi e c e of r u b b i s h .
T h e n t h e d r o n e c r a wl s b a c k i n a ga i n,
a n d five mi n u t e s l a t e r t h e s a me wo r k e r
ma y be gi vi ng h i m s o me h o n e y .
N o o n e i s s ur e h o w t h e b e e s k n o w
wh a t j o b t he y a r e s u p p o s e d t o do. Bu t
e a c h o n e of t h e m, d o i n g i t s l i t t l e t a s k,
he l ps t h e wh o l e hi ve t o o p e r a t e l i ke a
bi g, h u mmi n g ma c h i n e . So me t i me s t he
" ma c h i n e " i s l o c a t e d i n a h o l l o w t r ee.
Ot h e r t i me s i t i s i n a s peci al l y- bui l t bee-
hi ve. T h e Bi b l e t el l s us t h a t S a ms o n
f o u n d b e e s i n t h e b o d y of a d e a d l i on.
Bu t n o ma t t e r wh e r e t he i r h o me i s l o-
c a t e d, t h e be e s a l wa y s bui l d t h e s a me
wa x c u r t a i n - c o mb s wi t h t h e s a me six-
s i de d cel l s, hal f a n i n c h l ong a n d a q u a r -
t e r - i nc h wi de .
T h e cel l s a r e so pe r f e c t a n d r e g u l a r
t h a t t h e F r e n c h s ci ent i s t R e a u mu r o n c e
s ugge s t e d t he y c o u l d be us e d as a uni t
of me a s u r e me n t .
H o w c a n t h e h o n e y b e e d o al l he r
ma n y j o b s a n d ma k e s uc h pe r f e c t wa x
cel l s? S o me of t h e a n s we r s wi l l b e f o u n d
i n t he n e x t c h a p t e r .
EGG IN CELL
>
HEAD OF A WORKER
The gray, comma-shaped
egg is attached to the
bottom of the cell with
an adhesive secretion.
A blind and legless
grub hatches from the
egg. It is fed continu-
ously until it starts spin-
ning a cocoon after a
few days.
T h e M a g i c o f B e e s
F r o m a bl i nd, he l pl e s s b a b y n o l a r ge r
t h a n a gr a i n of s uga r t o a f ul l - f l edged
i ns ect wi t h a wh o l e set of t ool s t h a t
is t h e s t or y of t h e h o n e y b e e . I t be gi ns
life a s a t i ny c o mma - s h a p e d egg. I t c a n
h a r d l y be s een i n t h e cel l t h a t s e e ms
so h u g e i n c o mp a r i s o n . I t h a t c h e s t h r e e
d a y s af t er i t i s p l a c e d t h e r e by t he
q u e e n mo t h e r . Bu t i t d o e s n ' t l o o k l i ke
a b e e a t al l . I t i s j us t a whi t e , l egl ess,
bl i nd g r u b t h a t s e e ms t o b e al l a ppe t i t e .
How does a
new bee get
its food?
F o o d i s n e a r a t h a n d . A f ew mi n u t e s
af t er t h e g r u b h a s
h a t c h e d , t h e h e a d of
a f ul l - gr own b e e ap-
p e a r s a t t h e g r u b ' s
cel l . P o k i n g d o wn t o t h e n e w a r r i va l ,
t he a d u l t b e e s uppl i e s i t wi t h " r o y a l
j el l y" a p a s t e ma d e i n s peci al g l a n d s
i n t he be e ' s h e a d . N o s o o n e r h a s i t f ed
t he l i t t l e l a r va a n d g o n e o n t o t h e n e x t
cel l t h a n a n o t h e r l o a d of f o o d a r r i ve s .
T h e n a n o t h e r c o me s , a n d a n o t h e r , a n d
a n o t h e r a b o u t o n c e e ve r y mi n u t e .
How does the
baby bee grow?
I n s t e a d of c h o k i n g o n al l t hi s f ood, t h e
l a r v a b e g i n s t o
swel l l i ke a b a l l o o n .
I t s s ki n ge t s t i ght e r ,
l i ke a j a c k e t t h a t i s t o o s mal l . S o o n i t
spl i t s a n d t h e g r u b wr i ggl e s f r ee. T h e
ne xt d a y i t mol t s , o r s he ds i t s j a c k e t ,
a ga i n. Fi na l l y, t h e l a r va h a s b e c o me s o
l ar ge t h a t i t fills i t s cel l . I t h a s b e e n f ed
a b o u t t e n t h o u s a n d t i me s r o y a l j el l y
PUPA
OAWDRKERS
f or t h e first t wo d a y s a n d " b e e b r e a d , "
o r flower p o l l e n mi x e d wi t h h o n e y , f or
f our mo r e . N o w i t i s a s bi g as t he e r a s e r
o n t h e e n d of a n e w p e n c i l mo r e t h a n
a t h o u s a n d t i me s l a r ge r t h a n i t wa s a
we e k a go.
I t be gi ns t o p r o d u c e a s t i cky si l k f r o m
g l a n d s n e a r i t s mo u t h . We a v i n g b a c k
a n d f or t h, i t s pi ns t h e si l k i n t o a l a c y
c o c o o n . T h e n i t l i es st i l l , l i ke a mu mmy
wr a p p e d i n c l ot h.
Al l ove r t h e b r o o d c o mb , h u n d r e d s
of o t h e r b e e l a r v a e a r e d o i n g t h e s a me
t hi ng. T h e q u e e n mo t h e r t h a t l ai d t h e
eggs ma y h a v e p r o d u c e d a t h o u s a n d M
t h a t s a me d a y p l a c i n g e a c h i n i t s C.-
o wn si x- si ded cel l . J u s t be f or e t h e l a r v a e
s t a r t t o f o r m c o c o o n s , t he n u r s e be e s
s eal t he i r r o o ms wi t h wa x . T h e n t he y
go o n t o t h e c a r e of o t h e r ba bi e s .
I n s i d e t h e c o c o o n t h e r e i s a g r e a t
c h a n g e . T h e soft , l egl es s g r u b b o d y
st i ffens. Ou t l i n e s of l egs, wi ngs , eyes ,
a n t e n n a e , o r " f eel er s , " be gi n t o f or m.
T h e l a r v a i s a l a r v a n o l onge r , b u t a
p u p a d a r k e n i n g , h a r d e n i n g , ful l of
p r o mi s e of t h e h o n e y b e e t o c o me .
Twe l v e d a y s l a t e r , a s h a r p n e w p a i r
of j a ws be gi ns t o c u t a wa y a t t h e wa x
c a p of t h e cel l . N o w c o me s t h e g r e a t e s t
ma r v e l of al l . T h e cel l o p e n s a n d o u t
c o me s a c l e a n n e w h o n e y b e e h e r
Here, in the cocoon, the
great change takes
pl ace: from grub to
milk-white nymph or
pupa, until one day the
adult bee emerges. If
the egg is fertilized,
the bee will become a
worker. If not fertilized,
it will become a drone.
11
WORKERS
(ACTUAL SIZE)
f our s hi ni ng wi n g s t h i n n e r t h a n p a p e r ,
he r six l egs r e a d y t o cl i ng t o t h e pe t a l s
of t he flowers s he h a s n e v e r s een. Sci en-
t i st s s ay t h a t s uc h a c h a n g e , f r om a g r u b
t o a be e , i s a s wo n d e r f u l a s p u t t i n g a
t r u c k i n t o a g a r a g e , c l os i ng t h e d o o r
a n d t a k i n g o u t a be a ut i f ul n e w a i r p l a n e
t we l ve d a y s l at er .
The wax can be seen in this close-up view
of the underside of a worker bee.
To make wax for building new cells,
bees hang in chains from combs. Thin
slips of wax come from their abdominal
plates as they stretch themselves.
t he i r o wn . T h e n i n a f ew da ys , t h e
g l a n d s i n h e r h e a d b e g i n t o ma k e r oya l
j el l y f or t h e n e wb o r n ba bi e s . On e of
t h e m ma y b e g r o wi n g i n t h e s a me cel l
s he o c c u p i e d j us t a f e w d a y s be f or e .
What does a
new worker do?
Al l a r o u n d h e r a r e h u n d r e d s of o t h e r
wo r k e r s , b u s y a t
t he i r t a s ks . Af t e r
b u z z i n g h e r n e w
wi ngs a n d s t r e t c hi ng he r n e w l egs f or a
d a y o r so, s he goe s t o wo r k her s el f . She
f eeds pol l e n a n d h o n e y t o h e r y o u n g e r
si st er s, al l r e a d y t o b u i l d c o c o o n s of
How is
beeswax
made?
Ne w wa x i s n e e d e d f or t h e c o mb . T h e
y o u n g wo r k e r t a k e s g r e a t
d r i n k s of h o n e y a n d t h e n
" h a n g s her s el f u p " i n a
s he e t of l i vi ng b o d i e s wi t h
h e r si st er s. E a c h o n e h a n g s wi t h h e r
f r ont f eet a t t a c h e d t o t h e h i n d l egs of
t h e o n e a b o v e . Af t e r a f e w h o u r s l i t t l e
p l a t e s of wa x a p p e a r o n e a c h a b d o me n .
Wa x ooz e s o u t t h r o u g h s peci al gl a nds .
S h a p i n g t he wa x wi t h t h e j a ws a n d f eet ,
12
t h e be e s b u i l d n e w cel l s l i ke t h e t h o u -
s a n d s a l r e a d y t he r e .
A b e e c a n n o t a l wa y s p r o d u c e bees -
wa x . N o r c a n i t a l wa y s p r o d u c e r o y a l
j el l y. T h e l i fe of b e e s r u n s i n a s er i es of
s t ages . On c e t h e b e e h a s p a s s e d a cer -
t a i n p o i n t , i t d o e s n o t g o b a c k a g a i n .
Yo u n g wo r k e r s c a n ma k e r o y a l j el l y f or
a f e w da ys . T h e n t h e y c a n ma k e wa x .
T h e n , wh e n t h e y a r e ol de r , t h e y g o o u t
i nt o t h e fields t o g a t h e r n e c t a r a n d pol -
l en. So if we k n o w wh a t k i n d of wo r k
a b e e i s d o i n g , we h a v e s o me i d e a of h o w
ol d i t i s.
Wh e n s he l e a ve s t h e hi ve , t h e wo r k e r
i s a l mo s t l i ke a p u p p y i n a s t r a n g e n e w
y a r d . Sh e flies a r o u n d a n d a r o u n d ,
n e v e r s t r a yi ng f a r f r o m t h e hi ve . He r
gr e a t c o mp o u n d e ye s t a k e i n t h e f o r m
of r o c k s a n d t r e e s n e a r b y . T h e si x t h o u -
s a n d " s me l l - pl a t e s " o n h e r a n t e n n a e
r e c e i ve s t r a n g e o d o r s f r o m t h e n e w
wo r l d , b u t s he d o e s n ' t v e n t u r e a wa y
The bees collect pollen on their hind legs. Pollen
is held in place by long leg hairs, which form the
so-called "pollen baskets" (right).
With its long proboscis, the bee sucks the nectar
that is produced in the bottom of the flower. In
doing so, the bee pollinates the flower, making it
possible to produce seeds (below).
unt i l a d a y o r t wo l a t e r . T h e n s he be-
gi ns t h e j o b t h a t wi l l l as t t h e r e s t of
h e r l i fe.
What is the
bee's tool kit?
She c a r r i e s h e r t ool ki t r i g h t wi t h he r .
I t i s i n t h e f o r m of
br i s t l e s a n d s pi nes o n
h e r l egs . Sh e h a s a
p a i r of " p o l l e n b a s k e t s " o n h e r h i n d l e gs
t o stuff ful l of t h e g o l d e n p o wd e r f r o m
flowers. He r f r ont l egs h a v e c l e a n i n g
b r u s h e s f or t h e de l i c a t e a n t e n n a e .
Spi ne s o n t h e mi d d l e l egs h e l p p r y
pol l e n o u t of t h e p o l l e n b a s k e t s . Ot h e r
s pi ne s h e l p h e r t r i m a n d s h a p e t h e wa x
f or t h e c o mb .
Wh e n s he goe s f r o m o n e flower t o
a n o t h e r , s he p o k e s h e r h e a d d e e p i n t o
i t s c e n t e r t o ge t t h e s we e t n e c t a r . Ha i r s
o n h e r b o d y b r u s h t h e p o wd e r y p o l l e n
a r o u n d . Sh e st uffs i t i n h e r pol l e n ba s -
ke t s . T h e n s o me of i t r u b s off a s s he
b r u s h e s a r o u n d i n t h e n e x t flower.
BEE
(ACTUAL SIZE)
FILLED POLLEN BASKET
13
T h e D a n c e o f t h e B e e s
T h e my s t e r y of h o w be e s t el l o t h e r
be e s wh e r e f ood is t o
How do bees , , , , ,
. .. .. b e f o u n d ha s l ong
tell di rect i on?
p u z z l e d s ci ent i s t s . I n
1945, a n Au s t r i a n z ool ogi s t b y t h e n a me
of Ka r l v o n Fr i s c h set t o wo r k t o s ol ve
t h e puz z l e .
Dr . v o n Fr i s c h k n e w t h a t wo r k e r be e s
of t en j o u r n e y e d s ever al mi l es t o find a
field of flowers. Ye t t he y a l wa ys f o u n d
t he i r wa y b a c k h o me easi l y. Dr . v o n
Fr i s c h wa n t e d t o di s c ove r h o w t h e be e s
k e p t f r o m ge t t i ng l ost i n t he i r t r i p t o a n d
f r o m flowers.
Dr . v o n Fr i s c h k n e w t h a t l o n g be f or e
c o mp a s s e s we r e i nve nt e d, s ai l or s we r e
a bl e t o find t he i r wa y a c r os s u n c h a r t e d
seas. Ho w? T h e y n a v i g a t e d b y f ol l owi ng
t h e s un d u r i n g t h e d a y a n d t h e s t a r s a t
ni ght . Di d be e s d o t h e s a me ?
T o find out , Dr . v o n Fr i s c h c o n t r i v e d
a c l e ve r e x p e r i me n t . Fi r s t , he t a u g h t
wo r k e r be e s t o e a t f r o m a di s h of s uga r -
wa t e r t h a t wa s p l a c e d we s t of t he i r hi ve.
T h e be e s we r e t a u g h t t o d o t hi s i n t h e
mo r n i n g , wh e n t h e s un wa s i n t h e east -
e r n s ky. T h e n o n e ni ght af t er t h e
be e s h a d l e a r n e d t o f eed a t t h e di s h
Dr . v o n Fr i s c h mo v e d t he hi ve whi l e t h e
be e s we r e a s l e e p. A n d h e t u r n e d t he hi ve
a r o u n d s o t h a t i t s e n t r a n c e p o i n t e d i n a
di ' fferent di r e c t i on. Ne x t , Dr . v o n Fr i s c h
set o u t f o u r di s hes filled wi t h s uga r -
wa t e r o n e t o t h e n o r t h of t h e hi ve,
o n e t o t h e e a s t , o n e t o t h e s o u t h a n d o n e
t o t h e we s t .
X FLOWERS
\
\
\
V
HIVE
DANCE
SUN
v . J '
m
T h e n e x t mo r n i n g t h e s u n r os e b r i g h t
i n t h e eas t . Dr . v o n Fr i s c h c o u n t e d t h e
wo r k e r be e s as t he y wi n g e d f r om t h e
hi ve. T h e r e we r e t we nt y- ni ne . H e a l s o
c o u n t e d t h e n u mb e r of be e s t h a t r e a c h e d
e a c h di s h. T we n t y f o u n d t he i r wa y t o
t h e di s h t h a t wa s we s t of t h e hi ve.
Wh a t di d t h e e x p e r i me n t t el l Dr . v o n
F r i s c h ? I t t o l d h i m t h a t t h e be e s h a d
l e a r n e d t o fly away f r o m t h e s un t o r e a c h
f ood.
Bu t o n e puz z l e r e ma i n e d f or Dr . v o n
Fr i s c h t o sol ve. Ho w
How do bees , . , , ,
. . di d wo r k e r bees , r e-
communi cat e?
t u r n i n g t o t h e hi ve,
" t e l l " o t h e r wo r k e r be e s wh e r e t h e s ugar -
wa t e r di s h wa s l o c a t e d ? Dr . v o n Fr i s c h
h a d o b s e r v e d t h a t v e r y s o o n a f t e r
wo r k e r be e s r e t u r n e d t o t h e hi ve, ot he r s
flew out . T h e s e bees , wh o h a d ne ve r
b e e n t o t h e s u g a r di s h, s o me h o w we r e
14
X
>
Dance of the bee shows other
bees in hive the distance and
direction of nearest flowers.
Center line of bee's dance
pattern tells direction of feed-
ing place according to angle
of sun. Dancing bee performs
on wall of comb.
a bl e t o find i t wi t h o u t b e i n g l e d b y t h e
be e s wh o h a d f o u n d t h e di s h i n t h e first
pl a c e !
Af t e r car ef ul l y wa t c h i n g be e s f or
ma n y days , Dr . v o n Fr i s c h o b s e r v e d t h a t
r e t u r n i n g be e s di d a s t r a n g e " d a n c e . "
A n d t h e d a n c e wa s n o t a l wa y s t h e s a me .
Co u l d t h e d a n c e b e a wa y of " t e l l i ng"
wh e r e f ood wa s t o b e f o u n d ? Mo r e d a y s
pa s s e d as Dr . von Fr i s c h n o t e d e a c h
k i n d of d a n c e a n d t h e effect i t h a d o n
be e s t h a t we r e a b o u t t o l e a ve t h e hi ve.
Dr . v o n Fr i s c h di s c ove r e d t h a t wh e n
a wo r k e r be e r e t u r n s t o t h e hi ve, o t h e r
wo r k e r s c r o wd a r o u n d i t . T h e " s t ay- at -
h o me " wo r k e r s p u t t he i r de l i c a t e an-
t e n n a e o n t h e b o d y of t h e s c out bee. T h e
s c out t h e n doe s i t s " d a n c e " o n t h e wa l l
of t h e h o n e y c o mb . Dr . v o n Fr i s c h f o u n d
t h a t wh e n t h e s c out " wa g g l e s " s t r a i ght
u p t h e s i de of t h e c o mb , t h e o t h e r be e s
wi l l fly off i n t h e di r e c t i on of t h e s un
t o t h e e a s t i n t h e mo r n i n g , t o t h e we s t i n
t h e a f t e r n o o n . Bu t if t h e s c out " wa g g l e s "
s t r a i g h t d o w n t h e c o mb , t h e o t h e r
wo r k e r be e s wi n g o u t of t h e hi ve i n a
di r e c t i on opposite t o t h a t of t h e s un
we s t i n t h e mo r n i n g a n d e a s t i n t h e af t er -
n o o n . Wh a t ' s mo r e , if t h e s c out " wa g-
gl e s " i n a l i ne t h a t i s s l a nt e d n o t
s t r a i ght u p o r s t r a i ght d o wn i t i s
" t e l l i ng" t h e o t h e r wo r k e r be e s t h a t f ood
is t o b e f o u n d a l i t t l e s o u t h o r n o r t h of
e a s t o r we s t .
No t al l be e s a r e a b l e t o " t e l l " o t h e r
be e s wh e r e t o find f ood. On l y " h i g h e r "
be e s c a n d o t hi s . A n d t h e hi ghe s t f o r ms
of be e s us e a " s o u n d " l a n g u a g e , as wel l
a s a " d a n c i n g " l a n g u a g e , t o t el l wh e r e
f ood is. Th i s s o u n d l a n g u a g e wa s di s cov-
e r e d i n 19 6 5 b y s ci ent i s t s s t udyi ng be e s
i n Br a z i l . T h e s ci ent i s t s r e c o r d e d t h e
b u z z i n g " s ongs of wo r k e r be e s o n t he i r
wa y b a c k f r o m f ood " s t a t i ons . " T h e st a-
t i ons we r e di s he s of f o o d t h a t t h e sci en-
t i st s h a d s et o u t n e a r t h e hi ve. La t e r ,
t h e s ongs we r e p l a y e d ove r a l oud-
s p e a k e r . Wh a t h a p p e n e d ? Wh e n t h e
be e s h e a r d t h e s ong, t h e y flew o u t of t h e
hi ve t o wa r d t h e ve r y s t a t i on wh e r e t h e
s o n g h a d b e e n r e c o r d e d !
If a n e n e my s t r i kes , t h e wo r k e r b e e flies
t o t h e a t t a c k , dr i vi ng
i t s s t i nge r d e e p i n t o i t s
vi c t i m' s flesh. Bu t a s
t he b e e pul l s a wa y ,
t he l i t t l e b a r b s o n t h e s t i nger h o l d f ast .
Why does a
bee die when
it stings?
T h e s t i nger is pul l e d o u t of t h e be e ' s
b o d y , l e a vi ng it t o r n a n d dyi ng. Al -
t h o u g h a b e e s t i ng me a n s p a i n f or t h e
vi ct i m, it me a n s d e a t h f or t he h o n e y b e e .
N o ma t t e r wh a t h a p p e n s t o t h e wo r k -
er s , life i n t h e hi ve goe s on. T h e n e w
b a b i e s r ecei ve t he i r t wo d a y s of r oya l
j el l y f ol l owe d b y pol l e n a n d h o n e y . Bu t
t he l a r va i n t he q u e e n cel l c o n t i n u e s t o
get r oya l j el l y e ve r y d a y . Th i s ma k e s a
wo n d e r f u l c h a n g e . I n s t e a d of a r e gul a r -
si zed wo r k e r , u n a b l e t o l ay eggs , t h e
di et of r oya l j el l y wi l l p r o d u c e a sl eek
n e w q u e e n .
E v e n t h o u g h t h e q u e e n h a s n o t yet
l eft h e r c o c o o n , a s t r a n g e s o u n d i s c o m-
i ng f r o m h e r cel l . I t c a n b e h e a r d a b o v e
t he s ong of t h e hi ve.
A n e w pr i nc e s s i s a b o u t t o b e b o r n .
A queen honeybee emerges from the irreg-
ular wax cell in which she has developed.
T h e C a p t i v e Q u e e n
What does the new
queen look like?
T h e n e w q u e e n i s o n e t h i r d l a r g e r t h a n
t h e w o r k e r s .
He r l egs l a c k
t he i r t ool s a n d
c o mb s . He r wi n g s a r e f ol de d a n d d a mp
a g a i n s t h e r b o d y , b u t t h e y a r e v i b r a t i n g
wi t h a h i g h - p i t c h e d h u m t h a t pi e r c e s
t h e wa l l s of t h e hi ve. Qu i c k l y s he bi t es
a t t h e t o p of h e r c o c o o n a n d t h e c a p of
h e r q u e e n cel l .
A t l as t s he i s f r ee. Sc a r c e l y wa i t i ng
f or h e r wi n g s t o dr y, s he r u s h e s ove r
t h e b r o o d c o mb . T h e wo r k e r s ma k e wa y
f or he r . Fi na l l y, s he finds wh a t s he i s
s eeki ng. An o t h e r q u e e n cel l i s wa i t i ng.
F r o m i t , t oo, c o me s t h e s t r a n g e s ong.
T h e wo r k e r s s t a n d b y a s s he t e a r s a t
t h e c a p unt i l s he h a s o p e n e d i t . T h e n
s he t h r u s t s h e r s t i ng d e e p , a g a i n a n d
a g a i n . Un l i k e t h e wo r k e r s , s he c a n us e
h e r l ong, c u r v e d s t i ng ma n y t i mes . Bu t
s he us e s i t o n l y a g a i n s t o t h e r que e ns .
If t wo q u e e n s e me r g e f r om c o c o o n s
a t t h e s a me i ns t a nt , t h e r e i s a due l . T h e
i ns ect s t h r u s t a t e a c h o t h e r wi t h t hei r
s h a r p s t i ngs unt i l o n l y o n e of t h e q u e e n s
i s l eft al i ve.
Why does she kill
her sister queens?
She c a n n o mo r e s t o p f r o m s t i ngi ng h e r
si st er q u e e n s t h a n
t h e wo r k e r s c a n
s t o p g a t h e r i n g i n
t h e fields. " On e q u e e n p e r h i v e " i s t h e
r u l e t h a t s he mu s t f ol l ow. She ma y h a v e
si x o r e i ght o t h e r q u e e n s s e e ki ng t o
d e s t r o y h e r if s he a l l ows t h e m t o l i ve.
On l y af t er s he h a s ma d e s ur e t h a t s he
i s t h e o n l y q u e e n b e e i n t he hi ve d o e s
s he finally s t o p t o r es t .
QUEEN BEE
(ACTUAL SIZE)
"One queen per hive"
is the rule she must fol-
low. If two queens
emerge from their co-
coons at the same in-
stant, a battle to the
death develops. Here
two queens duel it out.
I f t h e r e i s o n l y a s i ngl e q u e e n f or e a c h
hi ve, wh a t wi l l h a p -
Wha t h a p p e n s
w h e n h e m e e t
t o t he ol d f ,
n
., , h e r q u e e n mo t h e r ?
queen mot her ? J
1
T o find t h e a n s we r
we h a v e t o g o b a c k a f e w da ys . T h e
q u e e n mo t h e r p u t a n o r ma l e gg i n t o
e a c h s peci al cel l a s s he c a me t o i t . F e d
onl y r oya l j el l y b y t h e wo r k e r s , e a c h
o n e d e v e l o p e d i nt o a q u e e n l a r va . T h e n ,
as t he t i me c a me n e a r f or t he i r e me r -
g e n c e a s n e w q u e e n s , a c h a n g e c a me
ove r t h e e nt i r e hi ve .
G o n e i s t h e o l d n e e d t o s p e n d e v e r y
mo me n t wo r k i n g i n t h e fields. E v e n t h e
q u e e n mo t h e r ' s c o n s t a n t j o b of l a yi ng
eggs i s f o r g o t t e n . T e a r i n g o p e n t h e c a p s
of t he h o n e y c o mb , t h o u s a n d s of be e s
dr i nk s o d e e p l y t h a t t h e y b e c o me
st uffed. Th i s i s p r o b a b l y a wi s e pr ovi -
si on b y n a t u r e f or t h e t i me a h e a d . F o r
t hi s i s k n o wn a s t h e t i me of t h e s wa r m.
T h e q u e e n mo t h e r a n d s ever al t h o u s a n d
of h e r f a mi l y wi l l l e a ve t h e hi ve f or e ve r
t o find a n e w h o me .
T h e wo r k e r s a r e so ful l t h a t s o me of
t h e m c a n h a r d l y fly. Ma n y , l i ke t h e f at
ma n wh o c o u l d n ' t b e n d o v e r t o t i e hi s
o wn s hoe , a r e u n a b l e t o c u r v e t he i r
a b d o me n s e n o u g h t o u s e t he i r s t i ngs . I n
f act , t h e y s e e m t o o g o o d - n a t u r e d t o
s t i ng. T h e s o n g of t h e hi ve r i s es t o a
n e w p i t c h . Ev e r y t h i n g i s i n p r e p a r a t i o n
f or a g r e a t a d v e n t u r e .
What is a
"swarm day"?
Fi n a l l y t h e g r e a t d a y c o me s . T h e s u n
i s s hi ni ng a n d t h e
we a t h e r i s f a i r t h e
b e e k e e p e r s cal l i t a
" s wa r m d a y . " T h e b e e s fly o u t b y t h e
h u n d r e d s a n d t h o u s a n d s . A w a y t h e y g o
t o a n e a r b y t r e e o r b u s h wh e r e t h e y
c l us t e r i n a c l os e ma s s . T h e o n e s o n t h e
o u t s i d e of t h e ma s s o p e n l i t t l e s cent -
17
h
Bees are easily irritated, but they will often allow
themselves to be handled this way on swarm days.
g l a n d s o n t he i r a b d o me n a n d f a n t h e
s c e nt o u t i nt o t h e ai r wi t h t he i r wi ngs .
T h e y d o t hi s t o g u i d e o t h e r s t o t h e s pot ,
j us t a s t he y of t en d o wh e n t he y find a
r i c h s o u r c e of n e c t a r o r a c l us t e r of
flowers.
T h e c l us t e r e d s wa r m i s t h i c k a n d
h e a v y . I t c a n of t en b e s h a k e n f r o m t h e
b u s h i nt o a n e mp t y hi ve l i ke a h u g e
b u n c h of ove r r i pe gr a pe s . S o me wh e r e
i n t h e c e n t e r of t he s wa r m i s t h e q u e e n
mo t h e r . So o n s o me be e s h a v e f o u n d a
18
h o l l o w t r e e o r e mp t y hi ve. T h e s wa r m
f ol l ows t h e m t o t he n e w h o me .
So me t i me s t h e b e e k e e p e r wi s he s t o
find t h e q u e e n . T h e n h e ma y s h a k e t h e
s wa r m i n t o a t u b of wa t e r . As t h e be e s
be gi n t o s wi m t o wa r d t h e si des, h e c a n
u s u a l l y find h e r b y h e r l a r g e si ze. Oc c a -
s i onal l y, h e di s c ove r s t h a t t h e be e s
h a v e s wa r me d wi t h o u t he r . T h i s i s l i ke
h a v i n g a b i r t h d a y p a r t y f or s o me o n e
wh o d i d n ' t ge t i nvi t e d. T h e s wa r m can-
n o t l i ve mo r e t h a n a f ew d a y s wi t h o u t
i t s q u e e n . On l y s he c a n l a y t h e eggs t o
p r o d u c e n e w wo r k e r s .
T h e q u e e n ,
How is the
queen like
a prisoner?
wh e t h e r i t i s t h e n e w
q u e e n b a c k i n t h e hi ve,
o r t h e q u e e n mo t h e r i n
t h e s wa r m, i s n o t r eal l y
a r ul e r . She i s mo r e l i ke
a p r i s o n e r t h a n a q u e e n . She mu s t b e
f ed a n d c a r e d f or b y h e r wo r k e r s . Ex -
c e pt f or h e r s wa r mi n g a n d ma t i n g
flights, s he n e v e r sees t h e out s i de wor l d.
T h e ol d q u e e n h a s l eft . N o w t he n e w
q u e e n p u s h e s t o wa r d t h e o p e n i n g of t h e
hi ve. A mo s t i mp o r t a n t j o b wa i t s f or
he r . A t l as t t h e d r o n e s wi l l g e t a c h a n c e
t o d o t he i r p a r t . Sh e t a k e s off o n h e r
n e w wi ngs , c i r c l i ng a r o u n d a n d a r o u n d .
T h e d r o n e s f ol l ow. S o me t i me s s he g o e s
o u t of s i ght .
Fi n a l l y s he ma t e s wi t h o n e of t h e
d r o n e s . S h e m a y
Wha t ha ppe ns
c h o o g e Q n e f r o m a n
_
to the drones ^ , .
r
, . , , _ o t h e r h i v e a s t a r a s
after ma t i ng?
n i n e mi l e s a wa y . T h e
mi l l i ons of t i ny s p e r m cel l s f r o m t h e
d r o n e ' s b o d y a r e p l a c e d i n a p o u c h i n
t h e q u e e n ' s a b d o me n . Hi s wo r k d o n e a t
l as t , t h e d r o n e s o o n di es . T h e o t h e r
d r o n e s a r e dr i ve n f r o m t h e hi ve wh e n
t h e f o o d s u p p l y ge t s l o w i n t h e f al l .
Ba c k i n t h e hi ve, s he b e c o me s t h e n e w
q u e e n mo t h e r . D a y
How ma ny e ggs
a f t e r d a y h e J a y s
t h o u s a n d s of e ggs
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ o f t e n f o u r o r five
t h o u s a n d a d a y . S u c h e gg p r o d u c t i o n i s
a g r e a t t a s k. So s he i s f ed b y t h e wo r k -
does the new
queen produce?
e r s a l mo s t c o n s t a n t l y . T h e y f eed h e r
a n d l i c k h e r , c a r i n g f or h e r e v e r y n e e d .
P e r h a p s t hi s l i c ki ng a n d p a s s i n g a r o u n d
ma t e r i a l f r o m h e r
Wh a t ha ppe ns
b o d s e r y e s t Q
if the queen , , , .
is t aken a wa y ?
k e e
P
t h e
^ S
0 i n
g
s m o o t h l y . I f t h e
q u e e n i s t a k e n a wa y o r di es , t h e wo r k -
e r s c r e a t e a n e w q u e e n b y e n l a r g i n g a
cel l a n d k e e p i n g o n e of t h e n e wb o r n
b a b i e s o n a s t e a d y r o y a l j el l y di et . If
t hi s d o e s n ' t wo r k , t h e wo r k e r s t h e m-
sel ves ma n a g e t o l a y a f e w eggs , b u t
t he s e d e v e l o p o n l y i n t o d r o n e s . T h e n
t h e hi ve , wi t h o u t a q u e e n , s o o n di es .
A queen laying eggs.
I f n o t h i n g h a p p e n s t o t h e q u e e n , s he
ma y l i ve wi t h h e r
How l ong does , . . , * *
.. i. o h u g e f a mi l y f or f our
t he queen live?
b J
o r five ye a r s . Du r i n g
t hi s t i me s he ma y l a y a mi l l i on eggs .
Wh a t a di f f er ence b e t we e n t h e q u e e n
mo t h e r a n d t h e s i ngl e mo t h wh o l e a ve s
a f e w e ggs o n a t wi g i n t h e f al l !
Bu t t h e r e a r e ma n y o t h e r be e s , t oo.
T h e y l i ve i n i nt e r e s t i ng p l a c e s ol d
mo u s e ne s t s , h o l l o w c h u n k s of wo o d ,
e ve n t i n c a ns . Th e i r s t or y wi l l b e t ol d
i n t h e n e x t c h a p t e r .
Attendants constantly surround the queen. When she
pauses in her egg-laying, they clean and feed her.
B e e s W i t h o u t a H i v e
A be e t h a t d o e s n ' t s t i ng! I t i s h a r d
t o bel i eve, b u t t h e r e a r e b e e s i n S o u t h
Ame r i c a t h a t n e v e r s t i ng a t al l . T h e y
l i ve i n c ol oni e s , o r l a r g e f ami l i es , j us t
l i ke t he h o n e y b e e s . I n s t e a d of l i vi ng i n
a ma n - ma d e hi ve, t h e y ma k e t he i r
h o me s i n h o l l o w t r e e s o r c a ve s . He r e
t h e y bui l d c o mb s o u t of wa x a n d cl ay
or f r om t h e s t i cky r es i n of t r ees .
How do stingless
bees fi ght enemies?
Si nc e t he y d o n ' t s t i ng, t h e y h a v e a dif-
f e r e nt wa y of
p r o t e c t i n g t he i r
l i t t l e h o n e y -
p o t s a n d t he l a r v a e i n t h e cel l s. Wh e n
a n e n e my c o me s , t h e y fly al l o v e r i t ,
bi t i ng a n d s c r a t c hi ng. St r o n g fluid f r o m
t he i r mo u t h s a n d bodi e s c a us e s a b u r n -
i ng s e ns a t i on. I t f eel s a l mo s t l i ke
s pa t t e r i ng gr e a s e . Bu t e ve n so, S o u t h
Ame r i c a n na t i ve s of t en k e e p t h e m i n
l i t t l e " d r u ms . " Th e s e a r e ma d e of a hol -
l ow l og wi t h b o t h e n d s s eal ed, e x c e p t
f or a l i t t l e hol e f or t h e be e s t o e nt e r .
Wh e n t h e n a t i v e s wa n t s o me h o n e y ,
t h e y j us t b r e a k o p e n t h e e n d of a d r u m.
Of t e n t hi s h o n e y i s del i ci ous . Bu t
s o me t i me s i t i s n o t . T h e s t i ngl es s be e s
vi si t al l k i n d s of flowers. If t h e r e a r e n ' t
e n o u g h flowers a va i l a bl e , t he y t a k e t he
n e x t be s t t hi ng. Th i s ma y b e a mol a s s e s
c a n o r a n ol d gr a pe f r ui t peel , wi t h a
d r o p o r t wo of mo t o r oi l f or va r i e t y. A
So u t h Ame r i c a n me a l wi t h na t i ve h o n e y
mu s t b e ful l of s ur pr i s e s !
T h e h o n e y b e e a n d t h e s t i ngl es s be e s
t a k e c a r e of t he
How is a queen
e g g ] a i d b y
^
q u e e n . Bu t ma n y of
t he o t h e r k i n d s of
q u e e n s t a k e c a r e of t he i r o wn eggs. On e
of t he s t r a nge s t i s t h e q u e e n bumbl e -
bee. She si t s o n h e r eggs i n t he s pr i ng
bumbl ebee like
a mother bi rd?
20
l i ke a l i t t l e bi r d. Al l wi n t e r l o n g s he
r e ma i n s i n a s he l t e r e d s pot , h i d d e n f r om
t he c ol d a n d s t o r m. Wh e n s pr i ng c o me s
a t l as t , s he g o e s h o u s e - h u n t i n g . She
flies o v e r t h e me a d o w, l o o k i n g f or a
l i t t l e h o l l o w i n t h e g r o u n d . So me t i me s
s he e ve n us e s a n o l d mo u s e ne s t o r a
ha l f - hi dde n t i n c a n .
She ma k e s t wo wa x cel l s. On e of
t h e m i s h e r h o n e y p o t . She fills i t wi t h
h o n e y s he h a s ma d e f r o m t h e e a r l y
An apiary (a place where bees are kept)
set in a landscape with fruit trees is al-
ways an interesting sight. The large
"boxes" are actually modern beehives.
They have replaced the less practical
straw skeps (inset at right) that were
used for a long time throughout the whole
world. The movable frames of the mod-
ern hive (cross section on page 20) is
much more convenient for the beekeeper
and for the bees as well. The queen and
the young can get only to section "B,"
leaving the honey in the top combs un-
disturbed for the keeper.
s pr i ng flowers. T h e o t h e r i s h e r b r o o d
cel l . Ab o u t e i ght eggs g o i n t o i t , of t en
o n a l i t t l e p a d of pol l e n t h a t wi l l s er ve
a s f ood. T h e n s he c a p s i t ove r wi t h wa x
a n d s et t l es d o wn o n t o p of i t .
F o r t h e q u e e n b u mb l e b e e , ba bys i t -
t i ng i s n o p r o b l e m. Wh e n t h e l a r v a e
h a t c h i n t h r e e o r f o u r da ys , s he o p e n s
t he i r cel l t o f eed t h e m. Bu t wh e n t h e y
a r e f ed, s he cl os es i t u p a ga i n. She ma y
d o t hi s s ever al t i me s a da y, flying a wa y
f or mo r e f ood i n b e t we e n .
Close-up of the head of
a stingless bee and the
log shed in which Mexi-
can Indians of Yucatan
keep them.
A queen bumblebee helps the young workers
out of their cells. Creeping to the honeypots,
they help themselves.
Wh e n s he l e a ve s h o me , s he ma y ge t
i nt o al l k i n d s of t r ou-
Wh a t a r e t h e
b l e S o m e k i n d s o f
bumblebee's , . , ... . .
. _ bi r ds l i ke t o e a t b u m-
enemi es ?
bl e be e s s t i ng a n d
al l . A h u g e r o b b e r fly, l o o k i n g l i ke a
b u mb l e b e e i t sel f, ma y l i e wa i t i ng i n a
flower, r e a d y t o c a t c h he r . So me t i me s
s he c o me s a c r os s t h e ne s t of a n o t h e r
b u mb l e b e e . I n s he goes , j us t a s if i t we r e
he r o wn h o me . She ma y e ve n dr i ve o u t
t h e r i ght f ul q u e e n a n d s et t l e d o wn o n
t he e ggs her s el f . Th i s i s h a r d o n t h e
b a b i e s b a c k a t h e r o wn h o me . Some -
t i me s t h e h o me l e s s q u e e n finds t he unoc -
c u p i e d ne s t a n d be gi ns t o t a k e c a r e of i t .
T h u s t h e t wo " mo t h e r s " h a v e s wi t c he d
nes t s . Mo r e of t en, a n u n p r o t e c t e d ne s t
i s f o u n d by a mo u s e t h a t he l ps i t sel f t o
t he t e n d e r b a b y be e s a n d h o n e y .
What are
"callows"?
T h e q u e e n he l ps t h e n e w wo r k e r s , c a l l e d
" c a l l o ws , " o u t of t he i r
cel l s. N o w t h e y a r e
a b o u t t h r e e we e k s ol d.
T h e y a r e we t a n d s i l ver - l ooki ng a t first
h a r d l y l i ke t h e f uzzy b l a c k a n d yel -
l ow q u e e n . Cr e e p i n g t o t h e h o n e y p o t ,
t he y h e l p t he ms e l ve s . I n a d a y o r t wo,
t h e y a r e flying ove r t h e fields. Some -
t i me s t he y a r e c a u g h t i n a s h o we r , b u t
t he y j us t go i ns i de a h a n g i n g flower.
I t s hel t er s t h e m l i ke a s we e t - s c e nt e d
u mb r e l l a .
Bu mb l e b e e s s e l d o m s t i ng. T h e y a r e
pe a c e f ul , h a r d - wo r k i n g c r e a t u r e s , b u t
t he y c a n s t i ng a g a i n a n d a g a i n wh e n
LARVAE IN SHELLS
Only the bumblebee,
which can reach the
nectar, is able to pol-
linate red clover.
ne c e s s a r y. T h e y a t t a c k by c l a wi ng, bi t -
i ng a n d s c r a t c hi ng. Al t h o u g h t h e r e
ma y b e o n l y a f ew h u n d r e d b u mb l e b e e s
i n a c ol ony, wi t h o n l y fifteen o r t we n t y
a t h o me a t a t i me , f ew c r e a t u r e s ma k e
a n ef f or t t o s t eal t h e h o n e y f r om t he
l i t t l e wa x e n pot s .
St r a n g e a s i t s eems , e ve n t h e h o n e y i s
u s e d f or de f e ns e b y
s o me k i n d s of b u m-
bl e be e s . If a n e n e my
a t t a c k s , a b u mb l e b e e
qui e t l y wa l k s u p t o i t ,
a d r o p of h o n e y o n i t s t o n g u e . T h e n
t h e b e e p l a s t e r s t h e i n t r u d e r wi t h t he
gl ue y st uff. Me s s y a n d dr i ppi ng, t he
e n e my r e t r e a t s a s f ast a s i t s s t i cky feet
wi l l l et i t .
How is honey
used by bees
for defense?
22
T h e j a ws of t h e c a r p e n t e r b e e a r e s t r o n g
l i t t l e t ool s . T h e b e e
.
0
i t sel f l ooks l i ke a
carpenter bee?
b u m b l e b e e , b u t
ma k e s i t s h o me i n wo o d . Ho l l o wi n g o u t
a t u n n e l i n a b e a m o r b o a r d wi t h i t s
j aws , i t bui l ds a l i t t l e c h a mb e r f or i t s
eggs. So me t i me s t he s e t u n n e l s ma y
t wi s t a n d t u r n t h r o u g h l u mb e r f or e i ght
or t e n f eet . S o me c a r p e n t e r b e e s s a ve
t he ms e l ve s a l ot of wo r k . T h e y b u i l d
t hei r ne s t s i n h o l l o w b a mb o o s t e ms .
T h u s t h e t u n n e l i s a l r e a d y ma d e f or
t h e m t o l i ve i n.
T h e j a ws of ma s o n be e s bi t e t h r o u g h
s a n d a n d cl ay. T h e
mo t h e r b u i l d s h e r
ne s t o u t of mu d a n d
fills i t wi t h pol l e n
a n d n e c t a r . T h e mu d h a r d e n s unt i l i t
i s l i ke s t one . T h e l a r v a e i ns i de f eed a n d
How do mason
bees bui l d
their homes?
c a r e f or t he ms e l ve s . Fi na l l y, wh e n t h e y
a r e r e a d y t o e me r g e , e a c h o n e bi t e s
t h r o u g h t h e h a r d wal l s of i t s h o me a n d
c o me s i n t o t h e wo r l d .
S o me t i me s Af r i c a n e x p l o r e r s c o me
a c r o s s t h e r u i n s of a n a n c i e n t ci t y. T h e
wa l l s a r e c o v e r e d wi t h t h e h a r d pl a s t e r
of t h e ma s o n bees . T h e e x p l o r e r s c h i p
a wa y a t i t , s c r a p i n g car ef ul l y. So me -
t i mes , af t er t h e y h a v e r e mo v e d i t , t h e y
c o me t o n o t h i n g b u t a b l a n k wal l . Ot h e r
t i me s , t h e y c o me t o a n c i e n t wr i t i ngs o r
s t one - pi c t ur e s . T h e s e i mp o r t a n t findings
h a v e b e e n h i d d e n f or ma n y c e n t u r i e s b y
t h e wo r k of t he s e l i t t l e c e me n t - ma k e r s ,
t h e ma s o n be e s .
How many kinds of
bees are known?
T h e r e a r e a b o u t t e n t h o u s a n d k i n d s of
b e e s k n o wn i n
t h e w o r l d t o -
d a y . O n l y a
f e w of t h e m a r e s oc i a l k i n d s l i vi ng i n
f ami l i es . T h e r e a r e " c u c k o o " b e e s t h a t
s n e a k i n t o ne s t s of o t h e r b e e s a n d l a y
t he i r eggs . Ot h e r s s t eal h o n e y t o f eed
t he i r o wn y o u n g . Bu r r o wi n g b e e s ma k e
hol e s i n t h e g r o u n d . Swe a t b e e s cl i ng t o
me n a n d a n i ma l s i n s u mme r , l a p p i n g
t h e s we a t f r o m t he i r bodi e s . Le a f c u t -
t i ng b e e s t r i m sl i ces of l e a ve s t h a t t h e y
p a s t e t o g e t h e r f or t he i r h o me s .
T o t el l t h e s t or i e s of al l t h e b e e s
wo u l d t a k e ma n y b o o k s . Bu t t h e r e a r e
ma n y mo r e k i n d s of s oci al i ns ect s . T h e
n e x t c h a p t e r wi l l t el l a b o u t t h e wo n d e r -
f ul wo r l d of wa s ps , r e g a r d e d a s a mo n g
t h e mo s t i nt e l l i ge nt of i ns ect s .
CARPEMTER
, BEE
MASON BEE
LEAFCUTTER NEST
LEAFCUTTING BEE
BURROWING BEE
23
NEST OF POTTER WASP
W A S P S
T h e H e l p f u l W a s p s
POTTER WASP CARRYING
>' MUD TO BUILDING JUG
What is a
fig wasp?
Ne a r l y e v e r y b o d y l i kes fig ba r s . T h e r e
wo u l d n ' t b e a s i ngl e o n e
if i t we r e n ' t f or t h e t i ny
fig wa s p . She wa n d e r s
a r o u n d o n t h e b l o s s o m of t h e fig,
s p r e a d i n g t h e pol l e n a n d ma k i n g i t pos -
si bl e f or t h e f r ui t t o de ve l op. He r y o u n g
h a t c h o u t a n d s eek n e w bl os s oms . Th i s
v a l u a b l e i ns ect wa s a c t ua l l y i mp o r t e d
i nt o Ca l i f o r n i a f or t h e p r o d u c t i o n of
S my r n a figs.
u n s e e n . S o me of t he i r r el at i ves , t h e
h o r n t a i l s a n d sawf l i es, a t t a c k t r e e s a n d
f r ui t , b u t a g r e a t ma n y of t h e t r u e wa s p s
a r e a s us ef ul a s h o n e y b e e s .
T h e t o ma t o h o r n wo r m c a t e r pi l l a r i s a
b a d g a r d e n pes t . I t
f eeds o n t h e l eaves
of t o ma t o vi ne s a n d
d a ma g e s t h e b l o s s o ms . A t i ny wa s p , t h e
How do wasps
help farmers?
T h e r e a r e a b o u t t e n t h o u s a n d k i n d s of
wa s ps . On l y a
f e w of t h e m
a r e s o c i a l .
Mo s t of t h e m l i ve t he i r l i ves qui e t l y a n d
CATERPILLAR WASP
DRAGGING CATERPILLAR
How many kinds of
wasps are there?
BRACONID (ENLARG
HORNTAIL
ICHNEUMON FLY
b r a c o n i d , p o k e s h e r s h a r p a b d o me n
i nt o t h e c a t e r pi l l a r s ever al t i mes . E a c h
t h r u s t ma y r e l e a s e a d o z e n eggs. T h e
y o u n g f eed o n t h e pes t , finally c o mi n g
o u t s i d e t o ma k e t he i r l i t t l e c oc oons .
T h e c a t e r pi l l a r s o o n di es .
Ot h e r b r a c o n i d wa s p s c a n p r o d u c e
a wh o l e f a mi l y wi t h j us t o n e egg. Th i s
i s d o n e wh e n a c e r t a i n wa s p finds t he
At left, the nest of a mason
wasp; above, the insect itself.
c a t e r pi l l a r of h a r mf u l f r ui t mo t h s o r
c o r n bor e r s . Al t h o u g h s he i s t i ny, h e r
a ma z i n g e gg ma k e s u p f or h e r l a c k of
si ze. Af t e r s he l a ys i t , i t be gi ns t o di vi de
i nt o ma n y l i t t l e cel l - gr oups . E a c h g r o u p
p r o d u c e s a h u n g r y l a r va . I t f eeds o n
t h e b o d y of t h e c a t e r pi l l a r . T h e n j us t a s
t h e c a t e r pi l l a r di es , t h e n e wb o r n wa s p s
fly a wa y .
HAWK WASP KILLING TARANTULA
A mud-dauber nest and wasps and two opened cells
CICADA-KILLER DRAGGING CICADA
wa s p dr i l l s unt i l s he c o me s t o t h e t un-
nel of a wo o d b o r e r , t h e r e a l vi l l ai n.
T h e wa s p ' s l a r va , h a t c h i n g out , wi l l de-
s t r oy t h e wo o d b o r e r be f or e i t c a n ki l l
a n y mo r e t r ees .
A s i ngl e e gg ma y p r o d u c e fifty o r
mo r e wa s ps . T h e n if e a c h wa s p pr o-
d u c e s fifty mo r e , t h e r e wi l l b e t we nt y-
five h u n d r e d wa s p s i n a f ew we e ks , al l
l ooki ng f or f r ui t mo t h s .
A h u g e i c h n e u mo n wa s p g o e s flying
t h r o u g h t h e ai r . I t
Why do s ome , .
. ... s t o p s a t a d y i n g
wa s p s drill
r J
f
i nt o t rees?
m a
P
l e t r e e
-
S l o w l
y
lt
c r a wl s o v e r t h e b a r k ,
t a p p i n g wi t h i t s a n t e n n a e . Fi n a l l y i t
s t ops a n d a r c h e s i t s b a c k . A l o n g t h r e a d -
l i ke o r g a n , t h e ovipositor, g o e s t o wo r k .
Sh a r p - p o i n t e d a n d s t r ong, i t dr i l l s d e e p
i nt o t h e wo o d .
Of t e n p e o p l e ki l l t hi s wa s p wh e n
t he y see i t dr i l l i ng i nt o a t r e e . Bu t t hi s
is j us t wh a t s h o u l d n ' t b e d o n e . F o r t h e
S o me wa s p s a r e e ve n hi t c hhi ke r s . On e ,
k n o wn a s P h a n u r u s ,
Wh a t wa s p is . , ,
I.* LL-I i r i de s a r o u n d o n a
a hi t chhi ker?
mo t h l i ke a ma n o n
a hor s e . T h e n , wh e n t h e mo t h finally
l a ys i t s eggs , t h e l i t t l e h i t c h h i k e r ge t s
off. Sh e l a ys h e r o wn eggs o n t h e mo t h
eggs . Bo t h ma y s t a r t t o de ve l op, b u t
i t i s onl y t h e l i t t l e wa s p s t h a t h a t c h o u t
a n d fly a wa y .
T h e Bi b l e t el l s of p l a g u e s of l oc us t s ,
wh i c h st i l l b o t h e r p e o p l e i n ma n y p a r t s
of t h e wo r l d . Wh e n t h e f e ma l e l oc us t
l a ys h e r e ggs u n d e r g r o u n d , t h e Scel i o
wa s p wa i t s n e a r b y . As f as t a s t h e l oc us t
b u r i e s n e w eggs , t h e wa s p p o k e s h e r
ovi pos i t or d o wn i n t o t h e m a n d l a ys
eggs of h e r o wn . T h e t wo ma y wo r k
s i de b y s i de t h e l oc us t l a yi ng eggs
a n d t h e wa s p d e s t r o y i n g t h e m.
25
How do hunter
wasps feed
their young?
H u n t e r wa s p s c a t c h a n d p a r a l y z e
s pi de r s wi t h a car e-
f u l l y - p l a c e d s t i n g .
S a n d wa s p s d o t h e
s a me wi t h cat er pi l -
l ar s . T h e s pi de r o r c a t e r pi l l a r i s t h e n
p l a c e d i n t h e cel l of t h e wa s p ' s nes t .
T h r e e o r f o u r mo r e vi c t i ms ma y b e
a d d e d . T h e n t h e wa s p l a ys a n egg. T h e
n e w l a r va h a s f r es h f ood unt i l i t be-
c o me s f ul l y g r o wn .
Mu d - d a u b e r wa s p s ma k e ma n y of
t he i r h o me s o u t of mu d , a l mo s t l i ke t h e
ma s o n bees . Of t e n t h e y c a n b e s een
a g a i n s t t h e si des of b u i l d i n g s o r u n d e r
r oof s . Fi l l e d wi t h p a r a l y z e d s pi der s ,
e a c h cel l of t h e h o me s oon o p e n s t o
r e l e a s e a n e w wa s p . P o t t e r wa s p s ma k e
l i t t l e mu d j u g s a n d s t oc k t h e m wi t h
c a t e r pi l l a r s .
H o w d o t h e wa s p s c a t c h t h e s pi de r s ?
Of t e n a wa s p ma y h a n g b y o n e l eg
f r o m t h e we b a n d s t i ng t h e s pi de r wh e n
i t r u s h e s o u t t o c a t c h i t . T h e " t a r a n t u l a
h a wk " wa s p s t i ngs t h e h u g e , h a i r y
t a r a n t u l a a n d t h e n b u r i e s t hi s s pi de r
wi t h t h e wa s p egg.
St r a n g e g r o wt h s a p p e a r o n t h e l e a ve s
a n d s t e ms of pl a nt s .
wa
h
s
at
s
d
do?
aM T h C y m a y l 0

k H k e
b r o wn a ppl e s , l i t t l e
p o r c u p i n e s , bi t s of mo s s . Ma n y of t he s e
a r e ma d e b y gal l wa s ps . T h e f e ma l e
p o k e s h e r e ggs i n t o t h e p l a n t , wh i c h
t h e n f o r ms t h e gal l . J u s t h o w i t f o r ms
i s n o t f ul l y u n d e r s t o o d . T h e l a r v a e f eed
o n t h e ma t e r i a l i ns i de t h e h o me t h a t
t h e p l a n t h a s he l pf ul l y ma d e . Of t e n
t h e y s p e n d t h e e n t i r e wi n t e r i n t hi s
s hel t er . E a c h k i n d of i ns e c t p r o d u c e s a
def i ni t e k i n d of p l a n t gal l .
N o n e of t h e wa s p s i n t hi s c h a p t e r a r e
t r u e s oci al i ns ect s . Bu t a f e w wa s p s l i ve
i n f ami l i es , l i ke t he i r c ous i ns t h e bees .
Mo s t of t h e m ma k e t he i r h o me s i n
p a p e r ne s t s .
T h e n e x t c h a p t e r wi l l de s c r i be wh a t
t a k e s p l a c e i ns i de t h e wa l l s of t he s e
p a p e r p a l a c e s .
M b
Some typical insect gallsswollen plant tissue caused by the hatching of wasp eggs.
. jLDENRODJI GALL
BLACKBERRY
GALL
Oak gall wasp on leaf.
26
T h e P a p e r P a l a c e
HEAD OF POLISTES WASP
(ENLARGED)
H o w l ong a g o wa s t h e first p a p e r ma d e ?
Wa s i t o v e r five
h u n d r e d y e a r s
a go, wh e n J o h a n n
a Bi b l e i n 1 4 5 5 ?
When was paper
originally made?
Gu t e n b e r g p r i n t e d
T w o t h o u s a n d y e a r s a g o , wh e n t h e
Ch i n e s e ma d e p a p e r f r o m mu l b e r r y
b a r k ? F o u r t h o u s a n d y e a r s a g o , wh e n
t he Eg y p t i a n s wr o t e o n flat s heet s f r o m
t he p a p y r u s r e e d ? T h e t r u t h i s t h a t
p a p e r wa s first ma d e millions of y e a r s
a go. N o h u ma n h a n d t o u c h e d t h a t first
s heet of p a p e r . I t wa s p r o b a b l y ma n u -
f a c t ur e d i n mu c h t h e s a me wa y a s i t i s
t o d a y b y a q u e e n wa s p , ma k i n g a
s hel t er f or h e r e ggs a n d l a r va e .
She goe s t o a p i e c e of d r i e d wo o d o n a
t r e e o r t h e s i de of a
How do wa s p s .
TT
,
0
h o u s e . He r s t r o n g
ma ke pa pe r ? .
6
l i t t l e j a ws wo r k l i ke
sci ssor s. She c ut s c h u n k s of wo o d a n d
mi xe s t h e m wi t h h e r s al i va. Ge t t i n g al l
she c a n c a r r y, s he s o me t i me s t u c k s
e xt r a pi e c e s " u n d e r h e r c h i n " b e t we e n
he r h e a d a n d first p a i r of l egs. T h e n
she flies b a c k t o h e r h o me , c h e wi n g o n
t he pi eces . Wh e n s he s p r e a d s o u t t h e
mi xt ur e , i t dr i e s t o a t o u g h p a p e r .
I t i s a my s t e r y h o w s he d e t e r mi n e s
wh e r e s he wi l l p l a c e
h e r n e w h o me . Of t e n
i t i s o n t h e e n d of a
t r e e b r a n c h o r u n d e r
t he r oof of a h o u s e . B u t s o me t i me s s h e
Where can
wasp nests
be found?
HEAD OF BALD-FACED HORNET
(ENLARGED)
c h o o s e s s t r a n g e pl a c e s . On e wa s p ne s t
wa s bui l t h i g h o n a f a c t o r y c h i mn e y ,
n e x t t o t h e whi s t l e. Ev e r y t i me t h e
whi s t l e bl e w, h u n d r e d s of wa s p s b u z z e d
i n al l di r e c t i ons . An o t h e r ne s t wa s
ma d e i n a c a r t h a t h a d b e e n i n a us e d-
c a r l ot al l s u mme r . St i l l a n o t h e r wa s
bui l t ove r a s c h o o l h o u s e d o o r . Sc h o o l
c o u l d n ' t b e o p e n e d i n S e p t e mb e r unt i l
t h e wa s p ne s t wa s r e mo v e d f r o m i t s un-
u s u a l l o c a t i o n .
What is a
hornet?
Wh a t i s t h e di f f er ence b e t we e n a wa s p
a n d a h o r n e t ? Ho r n e t s
a r e s hor t , a c t i ve wa s p s
t h a t l i ve b y t h e h u n -
d r e d s i n t he i r p a p e r ne s t . " Ye l l ow-
j a c k e t s " a n d " whi t e - f a c e d h o r n e t s " a r e
a c t u a l l y s peci al k i n d s of wa s p s .
J u s t l i ke t h e be e s , t h e r e a r e wo r k e r s ,
d r o n e s a n d q u e e n s . Bu t mo s t wa s p
p a p e r p a l a c e s l as t o n l y a f e w mo n t h s .
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , a be e hi ve ma y l as t
f or ye a r s .
T h e q u e e n c h e ws t h e wo o d unt i l i t
ma k e s a s t i cky p a s t e . T h e n s he p l a s t e r s
i t o n t h e u n d e r s i d e of a b r a n c h o r r oof
o r t h e i nt e r i or of a n a n i ma l ' s d e n . E v e n
a f a mi l y of s k u n k s h a s t o mo v e o u t
wh e n t h e wa s p s mo v e i n.
Sh e ma k e s a l i t t l e si x- si ded p a p e r
cel l . I t i s s ha l l ow a t first a n d h a n g s
d o wn wa r d . Sh e p l a c e s a s i ngl e e gg i n
27
A Polistes queen scrapes wood to make paper.
The first room of a Polistes' home looks upside down.
It is a cuplike cell attached to a paper stem. As soon
as it is completed, an egg is "cemented" into it.
t h e cel l , c o v e r e d wi t h a s t i cky ma t e r i a l
so it wo n ' t fal l out . A f ew mo r e cel l s
a n d eggs c o mp l e t e h e r l i t t l e nes t .
How do baby
wasps live?
Wh e n t h e l a r v a e h a t c h out , t h e y a r e
l e g l e s s a n d b l i n d
l i ke t h e b e e l a r va e .
O f t e n t h e y h a v e
s t i cky " g l u e p a d s " o n t h e m t o h o l d
t h e m i n t he i r u p s i d e - d o wn c r a dl e . Th e i r
mo t h e r c a t c h e s flies a n d o t h e r i ns e c t s
t o f eed t h e m. She c h e ws u p t h e i ns ect s
i nt o a l i t t l e bal l . T h e n s he h o l d s t h e ba l l
d o wn wh e r e t h e b a b i e s c a n f eed o n i t .
Sh e p u t s i t first i n t o o n e cel l a n d t h e n
a n o t h e r unt i l i t i s al l g o n e . E a c h l a r v a
h a s a f ew bi t es . T h e n t he mo t h e r flies
a wa y f or mo r e i ns e c t f ood wi t h wh i c h
t o f eed h e r l a r va e .
A s h e r l a r v a e ge t bi gge r , s he k e e p s
a d d i n g t o t h e l e n g t h of t h e c e l l s .
F i n a l l y , h e r h a l f - d o z e n y o u n g s t e r s
e me r g e a s a d u l t wa s ps . So me t i me s t h e
mo t h e r i s ki l l ed be f or e t h e y c o mp l e t e
t hei r g r o wt h . T h e n a l i t t l e e mp t y wa s p
ne s t i s al l t h a t r e ma i n s t o s h o w wh e r e
s he h a d s t a r t e d h o u s e k e e p i n g .
T h e n e w wa s p s h e l p t he i r mo t h e r . T h e y
bui l d mo r e cel l s
How do t he n e w ^ ^
t h e y h a y e a
WC
?u
PS e

b i
' fl
at
l
a
y
e r
f
in t he nest ?
J
t h e m. T h e n t h e y
a d d a s e c o n d l a y e r b e l o w t h a t , s e p a r a t e d
f r o m t h e " f l oor " a b o v e . T h e r e ma y b e
a d o z e n l a ye r s i n t h e c o mp l e t e d nes t s ,
e a c h l a ye r h a v i n g s e ve r a l h u n d r e d cel l s.
Wh e n t h e y a r e filled wi t h l a r v a e , a n d
t h e wo r k e r s a r e h u n t i n g f or f ood, al l t h e
i ns e c t s a r o u n d t h e ne s t a r e i n d a n g e r .
So me t i me s a c o w i n a p a s t u r e wi l l
wa l k c l os e t o a h o r n e t nes t . As s he goe s
s l owl y by, e a t i n g t h e gr a s s , t h e h o r n e t s
di s c ove r t h e flies b u z z i n g a r o u n d he r .
O n e b y o n e t h e y p i c k t h e m off, n e v e r
h u r t i n g t h e c o w a t al l . I n f act , t he c o w
d o e s n ' t e ve n s e e m t o n o t i c e t h e m.
As t h e ne s t ge t s l a r ge r , t h e wo r k e r s
bui l d a p a p e r b a g a r o u n d i t . Th i s ma y
b e of ma n y l a ye r s a n d i t s er ves a s i ns u-
l a t i on. I t k e e p s o u t n o o n t i me h e a t a n d
t h e c ol d of e ve ni ng. I t a l s o s er ves a s a
" r a i n c o a t " f or t h e ne s t . So me t i me s , if
t h e wo o d c a me f r o m a p a i n t e d bui l di ng,
i t ma y b e s t r e a k e d wi t h col or s . So me
28
Strange-looking larvae, hanging
upside down, hatch from the Polis-
tes' eggs. They are fed with chewed
caterpillars (above). At right, the
finished "paper palace"; a Polis-
tes' nest, showing many chambers,
and adult wasps.
p a p e r wa s p s ma y b u i l d ne s t s t h r e e o r
f our f eet a c r os s , c o n t a i n i n g t h o u s a n d s
of i ns ect s .
T h e r e i s o n e q u e s t i o n wh i c h st i l l puz z l e s
s ci ent i s t s . Ho n e y -
b e e s f e e d r o y a l
j el l y t o a l a r v a t o
p r o d u c e a q u e e n , b u t h o w a r e q u e e n
wa s p s p r o d u c e d ? T h e y a r e n o t g r o wn
i n over s i ze cel l s, n o r a r e t h e y gi ve n
s peci al f ood. Ye t a l a r g e c o l o n y ma y
h a v e s ever al q u e e n s , al l ge t t i ng a l o n g
t o g e t h e r a n d al l l a yi ng e ggs i n t h e
e mp t y cel l s.
S o me s ci ent i s t s t h i n k t h e y ma y h a v e
t he a n s we r . Wa s p s l i ck e a c h o t h e r , j us t
as t h e o t h e r s oci al i ns e c t s do. P e r h a p s
s o me s peci al ma t e r i a l f r o m a n egg-
VVORKER,
How are queen
wasps produced?
Vj D R O ME
Hornets' nest with some
adult insects.
YELLOW JACKET
M
h e r o wn , s o n o mo r e q u e e n s wi l l g r o w
unt i l t h e hi ve i s mu c h l a r ge r . Bu t t hi s
h a s n o t b e e n p r o v e d .
*
Cutaway view of the nest of a tropical wasp.
l ayi ng q u e e n i s p a s s e d a r o u n d i n t h e
l i cki ng pr oc e s s . Th i s p r e v e n t s o t h e r
wa s p s f r om l a yi ng eggs by a c t i n g o n
t he i r s ys t e ms i n s o me wa y . Bu t wh e n
a ne s t ge t s t o o l a r ge , o n l y a l i t t l e bi t
of t h e q u e e n ' s ma t e r i a l g o e s t o e a c h
wo r k e r . Fi n a l l y o n e i s a bl e t o l a y eggs .
N o w s he be gi ns t o p r o d u c e ma t e r i a l of
What happens
to the wasps
in the fall?
A u t u mn i s a p p r o a c h i n g . T h e q u e e n s
a r e n o t l a yi ng so
ma n y eggs. S o me of
t h e m a r e l a i d wi t h-
o u t b e i n g f er t i l i zed
by t h e ma l e s p e r m, wh i c h t h e q u e e n s
h a v e s t or e d i n t he i r bodi e s . Th e s e t u r n
i nt o d r o n e s . Li k e d r o n e bees , t he y can-
n o t s t i ng. T h e y vi si t flowers a n d r i p e n e d
f r ui t , d r i n k i n g t h e s weet l i qui ds . As
wi t h t h e d r o n e be e s , t h e y a r e wa i t i n g
f or t h e c o mi n g of n e w que e ns .
N o w mo r e q u e e n s h a t c h o u t . T h e y
fly i n t o t h e a i r a n d ma t e wi t h t he
d r o n e s . T h e y c i r c l e a r o u n d t h e ne s t f or
a whi l e a n d t h e n l e a ve t he i r p a p e r pal -
ace. T h e wo r k e r s , t o o , s p e n d mo r e t i me
flying a r o u n d a n d l ess t i me i n f e e di ng
t h e ba bi e s .
P e o p l e i n t h e c o u n t r y a s k i n t h e fal l ,
" Wh e r e a r e al l t h e wa s p s c o mi n g
f r o m? " Of c our s e , t h e y h a v e b e e n i n
t he i r ne s t s al l a l o n g , b u t n o w t h e y a r e
n o l o n g e r d o i n g t he i r h o u s e h o l d dut i es .
Th e i r d a y s i n t h e s un wi l l b e c u t s hor t
wi t h t h e first f r os t . T h e n t h e y wi l l f al l
l i f el ess t o e a r t h . On l y t h e n e w q u e e n s
wi l l r e ma i n s af el y h i d d e n u n d e r a bi t
of b a r k t o s t a r t a n e w p a p e r p a l a c e
i n t h e s pr i ng.
a t ~
30
A N T S
We h a v e l e a r n e d t h a t t h e r e a r e
s peci es of wa s p s a n d be e s t h a t d o n o t
l i ve i n soci et i es, b u t a r e s ol i t a r y i ns ect s .
T h e r e a r e , h o we v e r , n o s ol i t a r y a nt s .
E v e n t h e mo s t pr i mi t i ve k i n d s a r e or -
g a n i z e d i n t o c o mmu n i t i e s , a n d t h e a n t s
a r e t h e mo s t hi ghl y d e v e l o p e d s peci es of
t h e i ns e c t wo r l d .
Li k e t h e b e e s a n d wa s p s t h a t l i ve i n
c o mmu n i t i e s , t h e a n t s h a v e cl as s es , o r
cas t es , a mo n g t h e a dul t s . Li k e be e s , t h e
wo r k e r s a r e f e ma l e s , mo s t l y u n a b l e t o
l ay eggs , b u t t he i r o c c u p a t i o n s a r e mo r e
n u me r o u s t h a n t h o s e i n t h e b e e s oci et y.
T h e wo r k e r i s u s u a l l y mu c h s ma l l e r
t h a n t h e q u e e n a n d h a s n o wi ngs . A n t
q u e e n s a n d ma l e s h a v e wi n g s wh i c h
t he y us e i n t he i r ma t i n g fl i ght a n d whi l e
s e a r c hi ng f or n e w c o l o n y si t es.
T h e F o r e s t o f G r a s s
Da y af t er d a y t h e h u n d r e d s of l a r g e
n e w q u e e n s a n d l i t t l e
d r o n e s h a v e ma d e t he i r
t he wi nge d
ants fly?
w a y t o w a r d t h e e n -
t r a n c e t o t h e a n t hi l l .
Bu t e a c h t i me s o me t h i n g s e e me d t o
s t o p t h e m. S o me t i me s i t wo u l d b e a
ma s s of wo r k e r s d r a g g i n g i n a d e a d
Cross section through a sanguin ant's body. The crop,
located in the abdomen just in front of the stomach,
is actually a second stomach and one of the most
unusual parts of the ant's anatomy. All food is first
collected in this crop. From here, the ant presses food
back in her mouth to feed the queen or the other ants
that have stayed at home. If the ant needs nourish-
ment herself, she has to press food from the crop into
her own stomach. The cleaning hooks on the front
legs are used exclusively for cleaning of the antennae.
Clean antennae provide "good reception."
MANDIBLES
A j
1 **
ANTENNA
SIMPLE EYES
/ HEAD
7] / / THORAX
L/ \ / f ^v<.'
3V \M SANGUIN ANT
s*s**\ COMPOUND EYE
CLEANING HOOK
ABDOMEN
1 - r . . r
An ant looks like three insects pinned together.
.J
Sanguin ants use their antennae to communicate.
ANTENNAE
CROP
STOMACH
/STING
RECTUM
LOWER MANDIBLE WITH TONG
\
beet l e. So me t i me s t h e wo r k e r s t h e m-
sel ves wo u l d b a r t h e wa y . Bu t t o d a y ,
wi t h t h e s un s hi ni ng o n t h e s u mme r
me a d o ws , i t is di f f er ent .
Li k e t h e s wa r mi n g be e s o r t h e p a p e r -
wa s p s i n t h e fal l , t h e a n t s l a y a s i de t he i r
da i l y wo r k . Wo r k e r s a n d s ol di er s r u s h
b a c k a n d f or t h. T h e y wa v e t he i r a n t e n -
n a e a n d p u s h e a c h o t h e r . So me t i me s a
h u g e s ol di er pi c ks u p a l i t t l e wo r k e r
a n d c a r r i e s h e r a r o u n d f or hal f a n h o u r .
I n t h e mi d d l e of i t al l t h e q u e e n s a n d
d r o n e s flutter t he i r u n t r i e d wi ngs .
T h e act i vi t y spi l l s out s i de t h e ne s t ,
l i ke boi l i ng wa t e r f r om a ke t t l e . On e
af t er t h e o t h e r t h e wi n g e d o n e s c l i mb
u p s t i cks a n d b l a d e s of gr a s s . T h e y
s t r e t c h t hei r n e w wi n g s f or a mo me n t
a n d a r e gone . U p i nt o t h e ai r t h e y
go, unt i l t he y a r e t i ny p o i n t s of l i ght i n
t h e s uns hi ne . T h e y h a v e l eft t h e ne s t
f or ever . T h e wi ngl e s s wo r k e r s t h a t h a v e
f ol l owe d t h e m t o t h e t i ps of t h e gr a s s
b l a d e s n o w t u r n b a c k t o wa r d t h e a n t
hi l l be l ow.
Who are
their
enemies?
Al l a r o u n d a r e t h e c h a t t e r i n g bi r ds .
R o b b e r flies a n d d r a g o n -
flies d a r t b a c k a n d f or t h.
Spi de r s find t he i r we b s
filled wi t h d o z e n s of n e w
vi ct i ms . T h e wh o l e me a d o w i s filled
wi t h act i vi t y, f or h u n d r e d s of ne s t s
h a v e s e nt o u t t he i r l i t t l e a v i a t o r s a t
onc e . N o w t h e b i r d s a n d o t h e r c r e a t u r e s
a r e h a v i n g a f eas t .
A h e a v y - b o d i e d q u e e n h a s flown
a b o v e t h e t r e e s a t t h e e d g e of t h e field.
She me e t s a d r o n e one - t hi r d h e r si ze.
T h e y ma t e i n t h e ai r . T h e n , l i ke t he
d r o n e be e , t h e ma l e flutters dyi ng t o
t h e g r o u n d .
T h e n e w q u e e n gl i des t o a l a ndi ng.
T h e n s he d o e s a n
What does the
a s t o u n d i n g t h i n g
.
queen do with
TT
. . , ,
? . Ho o k i n g h e r l egs
her wi ngs ? .
u p ove r t h o s e s hi ny
wi ngs , s he t wi s t s t h e wi n g s unt i l t he y
b r e a k off.
O n e af t er t h e o t h e r , t h e wi n g s fal l t o
Most animals changed
considerably in the course
of millions of years of the
earth's history. Many be-
came extinct. But the ants
have sur vi ved and
changed only little, as is
apparent from this early
specimen, trapped and
preserved in resin millions
of years ago.
e a r t h. N o w s he l o o k s s t r a n g e a n d h u mp -
b a c k e d . He r h u g e mu s c l e s n o l o n g e r
h a v e a n y wi n g s t o o p e r a t e . Bu t t h e y
wi l l s oon h a v e a n o t h e r j o b t o do.
She h u n t s q u i c k l y f or a p l a c e t o hi de .
Bu r r o wi n g u n d e r a s t one , s he di gs i n t o
t h e e a r t h . T h e r e s he ma k e s a l i t t l e
c h a mb e r a n d s eal s i t t i ght . Al o n e i n t h e
d a r k , s he be gi ns h e r n e w f a mi l y.
He r e i s wh e r e h e r g r e a t wi ng- mus c l e s
a r e p u t t o wo r k a g a i n . T h e y b e g i n t o
s hr i nk, gi vi ng t he i r n o u r i s h me n t b a c k t o
he r b o d y . As s he a b s o r b s t he i r s t r e ngt h,
s he l ays hal f a d o z e n eggs . I n a d a y o r
t wo a f ew mo r e a r e p r o d u c e d . Fi n a l l y
s he h a s a l i t t l e c l us t e r of eggs .
Se a l e d i n h e r c h a mb e r , h o w c a n s he
find a n y f o o d ? T h e r e a r e n o wo r k e r s
t o h e l p h e r g a t h e r i ns ect s o r c r u mb s .
Wh e n t h e first l a r v a e h a t c h i n a f e w
da ys , wh a t wi l l t h e r e b e f or t h e m t o e a t ?
Bu t f ood i s n e a r a t h a n d . St r a n g e a s
i t s e e ms , t h e q u e e n
Wha t do t he . , \
.
i 0
p i c k s o u t a n e gg
ne w l ar vae e a t ?
r

a n d f eeds i t t o a
n e wl y - h a t c h e d l a r va , t h e n a n o t h e r e gg
t o a n o t h e r l a r va , a n d s o on. T h e l i t t l e
ba bi e s , ha l f - s t a r ve d o n s u c h a l i mi t e d
di et , c a n h a r d l y s ur vi ve. She gi ves t h e m
s al i va f r o m h e r mo u t h , b u t t h e y a r e st i l l
s o t i ny t h a t i t s e e ms t h e y wi l l s hor t l y di e.
Fi na l l y, t h e y f o r m l i t t l e c o c o o n s . S o me
of t h e m s t a r ve be f or e
"
m
; ; ^ I 9
t h e
y
e m e r
S
e
-
A t
! as t ,
mi ni ms r
p e r h a p s a mo n t h o r t wo
a f t e r t h e first e gg wa s l a i d, a s i ngl e
wo r k e r c o me s out . She i s j o i n e d b y t h r e e
o r f o u r mo r e . Ca l l e d " mi n i ms " b e c a u s e
of t he i r t i ny si ze, t h e y a r e t h e o n l y h o p e
f or a n e w a n t c ol ony. Th e i r mo t h e r ' s
s t r e n g t h i s n e a r l y gone . T h e y b r e a k
33
H o w A n t s F i n d F o o d
Do ants lay
down a trail?
Ho w d o a n t s l e a d o t h e r a nt s t o f o o d ?
Th a t ' s t h e ve r y ques -
t i on Dr . E d wa r d O.
Wi l s o n , a z ool ogi s t a t
Ha r v a r d Uni ve r s i t y, t a c k l e d . Dr . Wi l s o n
wa s s ur e t h a t a n t s l a i d d o wn s o me k i n d
of t r ai l t h a t o t h e r a n t s c o u l d f ol l ow.
T o ver i f y hi s h u n c h , Dr . Wi l s o n per -
f o r me d a n e x p e r i me n t .
Fi r s t , he bui l t a " h o me " i n wh i c h t o
k e e p hi s a nt s . T h e " h o me " wa s c o v e r e d
wi t h r e d gl ass. Wh y ? An t s o r d i n a r i l y
l i ve i n d a r k n e s s i n t he i r nes t s . A n d s i nce
a n t s a r e a l mo s t bl i nd t o r e d l i ght , t h e
" h o me " s e e me d a s b l a c k a s ni ght t o
t h e m. Of c our s e , Dr . Wi l s o n c o u l d
eas i l y see t h r o u g h t h e r e d gl ass. T h e r e
wa s a s ma l l h o l e i n t h e " h o me " s o t h a t
t h e a n t s c o u l d l e a ve i n s e a r c h of f ood.
Ne x t , Dr . Wi l s o n p l a c e d a d e a d fly
a b o u t e i ght i nc he s f r om t h e nes t . H e
p i n n e d t he fly d o wn s o t h a t a n a n t di s-
c ove r i ng t h e fly c o u l d n o t h a u l i t b a c k
t o t h e nes t . N o w Dr . Wi l s o n wa i t e d
a n d wa t c h e d .
Af t e r a whi l e, a n u mb e r of a nt s
c a me o u t of t he i r nes t . T h e y wa n d e r e d
a r o u n d out s i de . Fi na l l y, o n e a n t f o u n d
t h e fly. T h e a n t pul l e d at t h e fly b u t
c o u l d n o t b u d g e i t . T h e a n t s e e me d t o
gi ve up. I t r e t u r n e d t o t h e nes t . O n t h e
wa y b a c k , i t pr e s s e d i t s a b d o me n t o t h e
g r o u n d . Wh e n t he a n t e n t e r e d t h e nes t ,
o t h e r a nt s c r o wd e d a r o u n d i t . Ab o u t a
mi n u t e l at er , Dr . Wi l s o n s a w t e n a n t s
r u s h o u t of t he nes t . H e n o t i c e d t h a t
t h e a n t s f ol l owe d t he s a me p a t h t o t he
fly t h a t t h e r e t u r n i n g a n t h a d f ol l owe d
as i t h a d g o n e b a c k t o t h e nes t .
34
Dr . Wi l s o n wa s s ur e t h a t t hi s beha-
vi or me a n t t wo t hi ngs . On e , t h e r e t ur n-
i ng a n t h a d l ai d d o wn a c he mi c a l t r ai l .
T wo , t h e c h e mi c a l wa s ma d e by a n
o r g a n i n t h e a nt ' s a b d o me n .
What is
pheromone?
T o c h e c k o u t t he s e i deas , Dr . Wi l s on
" s p o n g e d u p " t h e t r ai l
h e be l i e ve d t h e r e t ur n-
i ng a n t h a d l ai d d o wn .
Us i n g s peci al c h e mi c a l me t h o d s , Dr .
Wi l s o n a n a l y z e d t h e s p o n g e d - u p t r ai l .
I t t u r n e d o u t t o b e a c h e mi c a l cal l ed
a p h e r o mo n e ( FEAR- oh- moa n) . An d
p h e r o mo n e s , Dr . Wi l s o n k n e w, a r e
c h e mi c a l s wi t h a s t r o n g o d o r t h a t ma n y
i ns ect s a n d o t h e r a n i ma l s us e t o "si g-
n a l " o t h e r me mb e r s of t h e i r o wn
s peci es .
Ne x t , Dr . Wi l s o n t o o k a cl os e l ook
An ant returning to its nest
from a source of food lays
down an odor trail. The scent
is laid down from small
glands in the ant's abdomen.
Other ants then leave and
follow the odor trail to food.
at t h e a b d o me n of a n a n t u n d e r a mi c r o-
s cope. Sur e e n o u g h , h e f o u n d a t i ny
gl a nd t h a t he l d t h e p h e r o mo n e . N o w
c a me t h e ke y p a r t of Dr . Wi l s o n ' s ex-
pe r i me nt . He c ol l e c t e d t h e p h e r o mo n e
f r om t h e a b d o me n of o n e a n t . T h e n h e
di ppe d a gl as s r o d i n t o t h e p h e r o mo n e .
Fi na l l y, h e t r a c e d a n u mb e r of " t r a i l s "
on t h e g r o u n d wi t h t h e gl as s r o d . S o me
of t he " t r a i l s " l e d t o f ood. S o me di d n o t .
Al l of t h e t r ai l s we r e l a i d d o wn n e a r a n
a nt nes t .
Wh a t di d t h e a n t s d o ? T h e y d a s h e d
out of t h e ne s t a n d r a n a l o n g t h e ma n -
ma d e t r ai l s . Dr . Wi l s o n h a d di s c ove r e d
h o w a n t s l e a d o t h e r a n t s t o f ood. Bu t
he wa s t o ma k e yet a n o t h e r s t a r t l i ng
di s cover y.
An t s t h a t f ol l owe d a t r ai l t h a t l e d t o
f ood qui c kl y t u r n e d a r o u n d a n d h e a d e d
-*^Z
Ok
a , 1
b a c k t o t h e nes t . An t s t h a t f o u n d n o
f ood a t t h e e n d of t h e t r ai l mi l l e d a b o u t
a t t r ai l ' s e n d a s if t he y we r e c onf us e d.
As Dr . Wi l s o n wa t c h e d , t h e t r ai l s
l e a d i n g t o f o o d b e c a me c r o wd e d wi t h
a nt s . Tr a i l s t h a t di d n o t l e a d t o f o o d
b e c a me u n o c c u p i e d . Wh a t c o u l d ac-
c o u n t f or t hi s, Dr . Wi l s o n wo n d e r e d ?
Ba c k i n hi s l a b o r a t o r y , Dr . Wi l s o n
f o u n d t h e a n s we r r e a l l y t wo a ns we r s .
An a l y z i n g t h e a n t p h e r o mo n e , h e f o u n d
t h a t i t e v a p o r a t e s v e r y qui c kl y. He a l s o
di s c ove r e d t h a t a n t s gi ve off t h e p h e r o -
mo n e onl y wh e n t he y find f ood. So t h e
f al se t r ai l s n o t l e a di ng t o f o o d
qui c kl y d i s a p p e a r e d . Bu t t h e t r ai l s l ead-
i ng t o f o o d we r e c o n s t a n t l y bui l t u p b y
a n t s r e t u r n i n g o v e r t h e m f r o m t h e p l a c e
wh e r e Dr . Wi l s o n h a d p u t f ood.
S p u r r e d b y Dr . Wi l s o n ' s e x p e r i me n t s ,
o t h e r s ci ent i s t s b e g a n t o s t u d y a n t
p h e r o mo n e s . I t wa s di s c ove r e d t h a t
p h e r o mo n e s s i gna l e d mo r e t h a n t h e
p l a c e wh e r e f o o d c o u l d b e f o u n d . F o r
e x a mp l e , t he s e s ci ent i s t s n o t i c e d t h a t if
a n a n t we r e b r u s h e d b y a pi e c e of p a p e r ,
o t h e r a n t s n e a r b y s e e me d t o b e c o me
ups e t . T h e y b e g a n t o r u s h a r o u n d .
Wh y ? Af t e r ma n y e x p e r i me n t s , t h e r e-
s e a r c he r s f o u n d t h a t t h e a n t s of ma n y
s peci es h a v e a s peci al g l a n d i n t he i r
j a ws . T h e g l a n d h o l d s a n " a l a r m"
p h e r o mo n e . Th i s p h e r o mo n e s i gnal s
" d a n g e r . " T h e a n t s pr a ys i t o u t of i t s
mo u t h . Ot h e r a n t s c o me r u n n i n g , r e a d y
t o fight j a ws o p e n a n d a b d o me n s
t u r n e d d o wn wa r d , r e a d y t o s t i ng. H o w
ma n y k i n d s of a n t p h e r o mo n e s a r e
t h e r e ? A n d wh a t s peci al s i gnal doe s
e a c h gi ve? Sci ent i s t s a r e h a r d o n t h e
t r ai l t o wa r d t h e a ns we r s .
35
The army ants are nomadic and
have no permanent nests. They
move in large columns, carrying
along eggs, larvae and cocoons.
Army ant workers, a third the size
of "royalty," attend a queen.
A r m i e s o n t h e M a r c h
How do the
army ants live?
So me t h i n g i s h a p p e n i n g i n t h e f or es t .
T h e r e i s a sof t
r us t l i ng s o u n d o n
t h e f or es t floor. I t
i s a l mo s t l i ke t h e f al l i ng of di s t a nt r a i n.
T h e j u n g l e a n i ma l s a r e b e h a v i n g
s t r a nge l y. At t he e d g e of a c l e a r i ng,
mi c e a n d l i z a r ds r u n a h e a d a n d t h e n
s t op. T h e n t he y r u n a ga i n.
Se ve r a l bi r ds a r e flying o v e r a d a r k ,
s o f t - l o o k i n g c a r p e t , c a t c h i n g i n s e c t s
t h a t l e a p i nt o t h e ai r . T h e " c a r p e t "
mo v e s s l owl y a h e a d .
A n a r my of a n t s is o n t h e ma r c h .
Hu n d r e d s of t h o u s a n d s of wo r k e r s c u t
a n d sl i ce a t e ve r yt hi ng t h a t move s .
CORNFIELD ANT
Co mi n g a c r os s a g r a s s h o p p e r , t he y f or ce
i t t o j u mp . Bu t i t ma y j u mp i n t h e
wr o n g d i r e c t i o n a n d l a n d r i ght i n t he
mi d d l e of t h e m. T h e y q u i c k l y c ut i t i n
pi eces . T h e n t he y s e nd t h e c h u n k s b a c k
t o wa r d t h e e n d of t h e l i ne wh e r e t he
l a r v a e a r e wa i t i n g t o b e f ed. Th i s i s t he
f a mi l y wi t h o u t a h o me , t h e gyps y b a n d
of t h e t r opi c s . E v e n j u n g l e c a t s a n d
h u g e s n a k e s flee f r o m t h e fierce a t t a c k
of t he s e a nt s .
S o me wh e r e i n t h e r e a r of t he a r my
i s t h e q u e e n . L i k e t h e q u e e n h o n e y b e e ,
s he i s a p r i s o n e r , a l t h o u g h t h e r e a r e n o
wa l l s a r o u n d h e r . Sh e i s s o h e a v y wi t h
eggs t h a t s he wo u l d b e he l pl e s s by her -
sel f. As f as t a s s he l a ys eggs , t h e y a r e
t a k e n a wa y b y n u r s e a n t s a n d c a r e d
f or d u r i n g t h e first f e w we e k s . L a r v a e
a r e h a t c h e d f r om t he s e eggs . T h e n t h e
l a r v a e f o r m p u p a e . So o n a n t s e me r g e a s
q u i c k - r u n n i n g wo r k e r s o r h u g e s ol di e r s
wi t h j a ws s o h e a v y t h a t t h e y c a n n o t
f eed t he ms e l ve s .
A r my a n t s l i ve i n t h e Af r i c a n a n d
So u t h Ame r i c a n t r opi c s . S o me t i me s
t he i r l i nes ma y b e s e ve r a l h u n d r e d f eet
l ong. T h e y a r e of t e n ma d e of t wo
s t r e a ms . On e s t r e a m c a r r i e s f ood b a c k
t o t h e n u r s e r y , whi l e t h e o t h e r i s g o i n g
o u t f or mo r e . T h e y e ve n c l i mb t o wa s p
ne s t s a n d a t t a c k t h e g r u b s i n t he i r p a p e r
cel l s. T h e wa s p s a r e c o mp l e t e l y he l pl e s s
a ga i ns t s uc h h u g e n u mb e r s of f e r oc i ous
e n e my a nt s .
A fierce little army ant attacks a much larger taran-
tula, and usually wins the fight.
How many kinds
of ants are known?
T h e r e a r e a b o u t fifteen t h o u s a n d spe-
c i e s o f a n t s
k n o wn . Li k e t h e
a r my a nt s , mo s t
of t h e m h u n t a n d wa g e wa r , a l t h o u g h
t he y a r e n o t s o eas i l y s een. F r o m t h e
t i ny, ye l l ow, k i t c h e n " g r e a s e a n t , " s o
s ma l l t h a t i t c a n h i d e u n d e r a g r a i n of
s uga r , t o t h e h u g e Br a z i l i a n P o n e r i n e
a n t t h a t i s ove r a n i n c h l ong, t he y l i ve
f r om o n e b a t t l e t o t h e ne xt . E v e n t hos e
t h a t d o n o t c a t c h o t h e r i ns e c t s f or
f ood h a v e t o de f e nd t he i r ne s t s a ga i ns t
ma n y e ne mi e s .
37
CARPENTER
ANT
IN WOOD
FIRE ANT
So me t i me s h u n t i n g a n t s b r i n g b a c k
o t h e r a n t p u p a e t o b e
Wha t ant s , . . . .
. . _ s l a v e s . A f t e r t h e s e
ha ve sl aves?
e m e r g e , t h e y t a k e
c a r e of t he i r n e w s t e p b r o t h e r s a n d sis-
t e r s a s if t he y we r e t he i r o wn f ami l y.
T h e y ma y e ve n go i nt o b a t t l e a g a i n s t
me mb e r s of t he i r ol d nes t , b u t t he y a r e
r a i s e d t o t a k e ove r mu c h of t h e wo r k
i n t h e ne s t f or t he i r ma s t e r s .
So me t i me s f a r me r s us e h u n t i n g a n t s a s
i ns ect t r a ps . I n t h e
How ar e s ome
e
, . t r o p i c s , s o m e of
ant s useful?
r
'
t h e m l i ve i n l ogs o r
h o l l o w vi nes . T h e f a r me r pl a c e s t h e
ne s t i n a n o r c h a r d t r ee. T h e h u n t e r s
c l e a n o u t e ve r y i ns ect . T h e n t h e f a r me r
mo v e s t h e ne s t t o a n o t h e r t r e e , o r ma k e s
a " b r i d g e " of s t i cks f or t h e a n t s t o c r os s
f r o m o n e t r e e t o a n o t h e r . So o n a wh o l e
s e c t i on of o r c h a r d i s f r ee of i ns ect s .
S o me a n t s a r e f a r me r s t he ms e l ve s . T h e
l e a f c u t t i n g a n t s of
S o u t h a n d Ce n t r a l
Ame r i c a r a i s e mu s h -
r o o ms f or f ood. T h e y s ni p pi e c e s of
What are
ant farmers?
l e a ve s f r o m t r e e s a n d b u s h e s a n d c a r r y
t h e m a l o n g o v e r t he i r h e a d s l i ke l i t t l e
u mb r e l l a s . Ba c k a t t h e ne s t , t h e y b u r y
t h e m d e e p u n d e r g r o u n d . So o n a s peci al
f u n g u s g r o ws o n t h e m t h a t t h e a n t s
us e f or f ood. Wh e n a q u e e n a n t s t a r t s a
n e w h o me , s he t a k e s a bi t of t hi s f ungus
wi t h he r .
" G o t o t h e a n t , t h o u s l u g g a r d , " s ai d
Ki n g S o l o mo n i n t h e Bi bl e . " Co n s i d e r
h e r wa y s a n d b e wi s e . " H e wa s p r o b a b l y
t h i n k i n g of a n o t h e r a n t f a r me r , t h e ha r -
ves t er . Wh e n t h e s e e ds a r e r i pe , t h e
h a r v e s t e r s c a r r y t h e m t o t h e nes t . L o n g
l i nes of a n t s c a n b e s e e n i n t h e Mi d d l e
Ea s t , e a c h a n t c a r r y i n g a s eed.
T h e n t h e a n t s s et u p a " c h e wi n g so-
c i e t y. " Ho u r af t er h o u r t h e y c h e w o n
t h e s eeds . Ch e mi c a l s i n t he i r s al i va h e l p
c h a n g e t h e s t a r c h of t h e s eeds t o s uga r .
T h e n t hi s " a n t b r e a d " i s f ed t o t h e
l a r va e .
Ma n y a n t s e a t t h e s we e t s u b s t a n c e
c a l l e d " h o n e y d e w. " I t
c o me s f r o m a p h i d s o r
p l a n t l i ce a s t he y f eed
o n t h e s a p of p l a n t s . T h e a n t s t r oke s
How do ants
keep "cows"?
- 3k
j f c
( *...,.
m
*
\&t?
This cross section through the
nest of the garden ants shows
the mound of earth thrown up
by the insects. Passages lead
deep into the ground where
the real nest lies.
38
Close-up of weaver ant holding larva.
Above, some weaver ants
hold two leaves, while be-
hind the leaves other ants,
holding larvae which se-
crete a thread, "stitch"
the leaves together to build
their nest.
Finished nest of the weaver ant,
built from leaves woven together.
t h e a p h i d a l mo s t a s if i t we r e a f a r me r
mi l ki ng a c ow. T h e a p h i d gi ves o u t a
l i t t l e d r o p of h o n e y d e w. S o me t i me s t h e
a n t s wi l l e ve n p i c k u p t h e a p h i d s i n t he i r
j a ws a n d c a r r y t h e m t o a n e w s pot .
Ot h e r t i me s , if t h e h o n e y d e w i s n o t
c o mi n g f as t e n o u g h , t h e a n t ma y g o
a h e a d a n d e a t t h e wh o l e a p h i d .
I n t h e s o u t h we s t e r n Un i t e d St a t e s t h e
s t r a n g e h o n e y a n t s
Wha t a r e , f, . . . '*
, . _ h a v e t he i r l i vi ng st or -
honey ant s ?
a g e j ar s . T h e y g o o u t
t o s e a r c h f or t h e n e c t a r f r o m flowers.
Co mi n g b a c k t o t h e ne s t , t h e y gi ve t h e
n e c t a r t o a y o u n g a n t , c a l l e d a " c a l l o w, "
wh o s e b o d y i s st i l l sof t a n d flexible. Sh e
h a n g s b y h e r h i n d l egs f r om t h e r oof
of a l i t t l e u n d e r g r o u n d r o o m. L a r g e r
a n d l a r ge r s he get s , unt i l s he i s r o u n d
a n d cl ear , l i ke a l i t t l e ye l l ow ma r b l e .
T h e n s he s er ves a s a s t o r a g e j a r f or
he r si st er s. So me t i me s s he h a n g s t h e r e
a s l o n g a s t h r e e y e a r s s o me t i me s
s hor t e r . If t h e h o n e y a n t s gi ve t h e cal -
l o w t o o mu c h n e c t a r , s he bur s t s .
How do ants
protect
their nests?
Li t t l e u n d e r g r o u n d g a r d e n s , a p h i d
" c o w s " a n d l i v i n g
h o n e y p o t s a t t r a c t
e n e m i e s . B u t t h e
wo r k e r s h a v e ma n y
wa y s of fighting t h e m. Al t h o u g h
wo r k e r s c a n n o t fly, t h e " b u l l d o g " a n t s
of Au s t r a l i a c a n j u mp . So me t i me s t h e y
l e a p a f oot i nt o t h e ai r . Ma n y a n t s
h a v e fiery s t i ngs . S o me bi t e wi t h t he i r
j a ws a n d t h e n s p r a y a b u r n i n g fluid
f r o m t he i r b o d i e s i n t o t h e wo u n d . S o me
e ve n us e l i t t l e " s qui r t g u n s . " Po i n t i n g
t h e e n d of t he i r b o d i e s u p wa r d , t he y
s qui r t o u t a d r o p of l i qui d.
A n t hi l l s ma y b e e i ght f eet hi gh. T h e
" g a r d e n s " of t h e f un-
a^JtihilM g
u s
g
r o w i n
g . l eaf c u t t e r s
ma y be s even f eet be-
n e a t h t h e s ur f ace. Bu t t h e l a r ge s t f a m-
i l i es a n d t h e l a r ge s t h o me s d o n o t b e l o n g
t o t h e a n t s a t al l . T h e y b e l o n g t o t h e
t e r mi t e s , s o me t i me s wr o n g l y c a l l e d
" wh i t e a n t s . " Th e i r s t or y wi l l be t ol d
i n t h e n e x t c h a p t e r .
39
Leafcutter ants cuT artd " . . I \ ,
;a^ather leaves frphj . v i O
which they grow a fun- -' \
s for^food. They ar e^^^_
$C> cgFIled parasol ,
n}s, Because the big -
leavej* they carry look
like huge parasols.
The fragments of the leaves are chewed up in
the nest and mixed with saliva for the "garden."
But leafcutter ants do not feed on the leaves.
The fungus garden is a sponge-like mass that is full of passages.
It is situated in a special chamber of the nest, far under the ground.
The desert ant uses some members of the colony as
storage containers, filled to the bursting point with
sweet juices. They are hung up in specially con-
structed chambers. During the lean months, when
the galls on which desert ants normally feed do
not provide a regular diet, the ants feed from their
honey-juice "storage containers."
Ants stroke aphids, little plant lice, with their an-
tennae and squeeze a drop of honeydew out of their
abdomens like farmers milking cows.
40
T E R M I T E S
T h e W o o d e n C a v e r n
What are newborn
termites like?
T h e n e wb o r n t e r mi t e s t r uggl e s wi t h a
pi e c e of wo o d .
T h e c h u n k ,
c h e we d off b y a
wo r k e r a f e w mi n u t e s be f or e , i s t wi c e
t h e b a b y ' s si ze. Bu t t h e b a b y mo v e s t h e
wo o d f r o m t h e c e n t e r of t h e d a r k t un-
nel . T h e n i t goe s a l o n g t o find a n o t h e r
j ob. I n t h e t e r mi t e ne s t , e ve n t h e b a b i e s
g o t o wo r k .
Un l i k e t h e l a r v a e of t h e be e s , wa s p s
a n d a nt s , t h e y o u n g t e r mi t e c a n ge t
a r o u n d al l b y i t sel f . I t t r o t s a r o u n d o n
i t s si x l egs, n o t n e e d i n g a n u r s e r y o r a
p r o t e c t i n g cel l . Ca l l e d a nymph, i t l o o k s
l i ke a mi n i a t u r e c o p y of t h e a d u l t s al l
a r o u n d i t .
At first i t n e e d s s pe c i a l f ood. I t s t ops
t h e o l d e r t e r m i t e s
Wha t food , . ,
does it e a t ?
w h l c h
P
U m
P
U
P
S O m e
of t h e f ood f r om t he i r
s t o ma c h s . E v e n t h e ma l e s t a k e p a r t i n
t he pr oc e s s , f or t h e ma l e t e r mi t e s wo r k
a s h a r d a s t h e f e ma l e s .
As t h e l i t t l e t e r mi t e ge t s ol de r , i t s
t a s t e f or f ood c h a n g e s . I t be gi ns t o
g n a w o n t h e s i des a n d wa l l s of i t s h o me ,
wh i c h i s of t en h o l l o we d o u t of wo o d .
I t wi l l l i ve o n wo o d a n d p l a n t ma t e r i a l
f or t h e r es t of i t s life.
St r a n g e a s i t s e e ms , t h e t e r mi t e c a n n o t
di ges t i t s o wn
f ood. Go o d , u n -
r o t t e d w o o d
mu s t be di ge s t e d f or i t . I n s i d e i t s b o d y
How is a termite's
food digested?
a r e l i t t l e c r e a t u r e s c a l l e d protozoa.
Wh e n t h e t e r mi t e s e nds a l o a d of f ood
d o wn t o t h e m, t h e s e t i ny c he mi s t s g e t t o
wo r k . T h e y b r e a k t h e wo o d d o wn i n t o
Termite mounds, especially those in the tropics, are
often very high. This one is an African termite mound,
taller than the average man.
41
TWO TERMITES
(ACTUAL SIZE)
s i mpl e r ma t e r i a l a n d finally t o
s uga r . T h e n t h e t e r mi t e a b s o r b s t h e
s uga r i n t o i t s o wn b l o o d s t r e a m. S o me
k i n d s of t e r mi t e s l i ve wi t h o u t t he s e t i ny
he l pe r s , b u t t h e y d o n o t f e e d o n s o u n d
wo o d . Th e i r f ood i s r o t t e n wo o d , f un-
gus a n d d e c a y e d ma t e r i a l .
T h e n e wb o r n t e r mi t e h a s n o p r o t o z o a
i n i t s di ges t i ve s ys t em. Ye t i t n e e d s t h e m
be f or e i t wi l l b e a bl e t o di ges t wo o d . I t
p r o b a b l y ge t s p r o t o z o a b y t h e " l i vi ng
l ol l i pop" me t h o d of l i cki ng i t s ne i gh-
b o r s a n d pa s s i ng f ood b a c k a n d f or t h.
Li k e al l i ns ect s , i t s he ds i t s s ki n f or
g r o wt h . A t t h e s a me t i me , i t l os es i t s
p r o t o z o a . Bu t af t er i t h a s l i c ke d a f ew
n e i g h b o r s , t h e p r o t o z o a a r e b a c k .
t h e ne s t i s c ool a n d d a r k . Bu t i t i s n o t
t h e l i ght t h a t d i s t u r b s t h e m, f or t he y
a r e bl i nd. T h e d r y n e s s of t h e out s i de ai r
wo u l d s o o n ki l l t h e m, a s t h e y n e e d
d a mp n e s s f or l i fe.
Te r mi t e s i n h o u s e s a r e car ef ul n o t
t o e a t r i ght t h r o u g h t h e wo o d so t h a t
ai r ge t s i ns i de t he i r t unne l s . Th i s i s wh y
i t i s s o h a r d t o k n o w if t e r mi t e s a r e pr es -
e nt . T h e wo o d l o o k s t h e s a me , wh e t h e r
t h e y a r e t h e r e o r n o t . On l y b y t es t i ng
t o s ee if i t i s s ol i d c a n o n e b e s ur e.
So me t i me s t h e y e a t u p f r om t h e cel l ar
t o a t t i c wi t h o u t o n c e b r e a k i n g o u t i nt o
t h e o p e n . If t h e y c o me t o a books he l f ,
t he y ma y e a t t h e shel f a n d t h e i ns i de
p a g e s of al l t h e b o o k s !
Da y af t er d a y t h e n y mp h wo r k s i n t h e
d a r k n e s s w i t h
Why are termite . , . .,.
: . ._ t h o u s a n d s of i t s
nests closed?
b r o t h e r s a n d sis-
t er s . If a n a c c i d e n t t a k e s p l a c e s o t h a t
t h e ne s t i s o p e n e d , t he y q u i c k l y s eal i t
u p a ga i n. Ma k i n g a p a s t e of s al i va a n d
s a wd u s t , t he y bui l d a n e w wal l . So o n
How l ong do
termites live?
T h e n y mp h ma y l i ve si x o r s even ye a r s .
If i t i s goi ng t o be-
c o me a q u e e n o r ki ng,
l i t t l e b u mp s be gi n t o
s h o w o n i t s b a c k o r t h o r a x . Th e s e a r e
t h e b u d s of t h e n e w wi ngs . If i t i s j us t
a wo r k e r , t h e b u mp s n e v e r de ve l op.
Wi t h e a c h s h e d d i n g of t h e s ki n t he b u d s
ge t l a r ge r , unt i l t h e t e r mi t e r e a c h e s i t s
ful l g r o wt h . T h e n i t wa i t s i n t h e ne s t
f or t h e d a y of flight. So me t i me s i t ma y
wa i t si x y e a r s i n d e s e r t c o u n t r y .
What is
a termi te
"f l i ght day" ?
No b o d y k n o ws wh a t ma k e s a "fl i ght
d a y " f or t e r mi t e s . Bu t
s u d d e n l y t h e y a p p e a r
b y t h e t h o u s a n d s .
T h e y r e s e mb l e flying
a nt s , a l t h o u g h t he i r wa i s t s a r e t h i c k e r
a n d t he y h a v e e qua l - s i z e d wi ngs . An t s
h a v e t h i n n e r wa i s t s , a n d t h e f r ont wi ngs
The wings of the termite queen look
as if they were made out of a very
delicate lace.
ANTENNA
Compare this illustration with
the one on page 31. It shows
why the termite, which is of-
ten called the white ant, is as
far removed from the white
ant as a horse is from a hip-
popotamus. Their bodies are
built differently, the larvae
develop differently and the
organization of the societies
is different. A termite is not
a white ant.
WORKER TERMITE
a r e l o n g e r t h a n t h e r e a r one s . L i k e a nt s ,
t he y b r e a k off t h e wi n g s wh e n t h e y
r e a c h t h e g r o u n d a g a i n .
N o w a s t r a n g e t h i n g h a p p e n s . T h e
f e ma l e t e r mi t e r a i s e s t h e t i p of h e r
b o d y h i g h i n t o t h e ai r . Spe c i a l s c e nt
g l a n d s s e nd a n o d o r o n t h e br e e z e . T h e
wi n d c a r r i e s i t t o a ma l e t e r mi t e . H e
c a n n o t fly t o me e t h e r , f or hi s wi n g s
a r e b r o k e n off, t oo. So h e s t r uggl e s ove r
s t i cks a n d p e b b l e s u n t i l h e r e a c h e s h e r .
Gr e e t i n g e a c h o t h e r b y t o u c h i n g t he i r
a n t e n n a e , t h e y find a c r a c k i n a l og o r
r o t t e n s t u mp . T h e n t h e y d i s a p p e a r t o
ma t e a n d s t a r t a n e w h o me .
Of al l t h e s oci al i ns ect s , o n l y t h e t er -
mi t e s h a v e a ki ng. Al l
doTo' a"
9 t H e

t h e r q U C e n S
^
x i- o wi d o ws , f or t h e y h a v e
t ermi t es live?
J
l os t t he i r h u s b a n d s o n
t h e ma t i n g flight. T h e t e r mi t e f a mi l y
ge t s s t a r t e d v e r y s l owl y, s o me t i me s wi t h
onl y a f ew n y mp h s t h e first ye a r . Bu t
t h e r o y a l c o u p l e i s n o t i n a h u r r y .
T h e y a r e s u r r o u n d e d b y f ood a n d
t h e y a r e t h e l onges t - l i ved of al l i ns ect s .
S o me s ci ent i s t s be l i e ve t h e y ma y l i ve a s
l o n g a s f or t y ye a r s .
T h e q u e e n ge t s l a r ge r a n d l a r ge r . He r
b o d y b e c o me s lit-
Why is t he
d e m o r e t h a n a
queen called , , .
, .
0
h u g e s a c k of eggs .
a n e gg- ma c hi ne ?
T h e y a r e p r o -
d u c e d o n e a f t e r a n o t h e r . So o n s he i s
l i t t l e mo r e t h a n a n egg- l ayi ng ma c h i n e .
Wo r k e r s f eed h e r a t o n e e n d a n d t a k e
t h e e ggs a wa y f r o m t h e o t h e r !
How large are
termite houses?
T h e s t e e pl e - t e r mi t e of Af r i c a ma k e s o n e
of t h e l a r ge s t i n-
s e c t h o m e s o n
e a r t h . I t ma y b e
mo r e t h a n fifteen f eet h i g h a n d bui l t
of s a n d a n d s a wd u s t mi x e d wi t h s al i va.
T h e r o y a l c o u p l e l i ves i ns i de i n i t s o wn
c h a mb e r . T h e ki ng' s egg- f i l l ed ma t e i s
a s bi g a s a s a us a ge . Sh e ma y l a y t e n mi l -
l i on eggs a ye a r .
P e r h a p s t h e y o u n g n y mp h i s g r o wi n g
u p t o b e a s ol di e r i n s t e a d
soldier
0
"*
f a k i n g
'
q U C e n

r
,
m
_ wo r k e r . Wi t h e a c h mo l t ,
termites? . '
i t s h e a d g r o ws l a r ge r a n d
h a r d e r . I t s j a ws ge t s t r onge r . S o o n i t
s e e ms t o b e al l h e a d . I t he l ps p r o t e c t
t h e t e r mi t e s a g a i n s t t he i r e n e mi e s , t h e
43
i ns e c t - e a t i ng a nt s . If t h e r e i s a b r e a k i n
t h e ne s t , t h e s ol di e r s r u s h t o t h a t p o i n t ,
t he i r j a ws s n a p p i n g a n d cl i cki ng. T h e y
k n o c k t he i r h e a d s a g a i n s t t h e s i des of
t h e gal l er i es . Th i s set s al l t h e t e r mi t e s
i n mo t i o n ; s oon t h e hol e i s r e p a i r e d .
What is a
"nasut e"?
S o me t e r mi t e s h a v e a n o t h e r k i n d of
s ol di e r c a l l e d a " n a s u t e . "
I t h a s a l i t t l e noz z l e o n
t h e f r ont of i t s h e a d .
Wh e n e n e mi e s c o me , t h e s ol di er s qui r t s
a me s s y l i qui d f r o m t h e noz z l e .
A wo r k e r a n t , b e e o r wa s p h a s l i t t l e
c h a n c e of e ve r l a yi ng a n y eggs . Bu t
wo r k e r o r s ol di er t e r mi t e s s o me t i me s
b e c o me " s e c o n d q u e e n s . " T h e y n e v e r
ge t a s f at a s t he i r h u g e mo t h e r , b u t
t h e y ma y ma t e wi t h a ma l e i n t h e ne s t
a n d s t a r t t he i r o wn egg- f act or y.
A b o u t t w o t h o u s a n d s p e c i e s of t e r -
mi t e s a r e k n o wn .
i n d s
S o m e of t h e m
h a v e t he i r o wn
l i t t l e f u n g u s ga r -
d e n s o n d e c a y e d l e a ve s u n d e r g r o u n d ,
l i ke t h e g a r d e n i n g a nt s . Ot h e r s b u i l d
h o me s i n t r ees , wi t h t u n n e l s l e a d i n g
b a c k d o wn t o t h e soi l . S o me h a v e u n d e r -
g r o u n d t u n n e l s o n e h u n d r e d fifty f eet
of termites
are there?
J ?
- ""^-tm
W .
WORKERS
SOLDIER J? H
KING
*""-
r
v -.
httw*
:
2 4
*1tw
l ong. St i l l o t h e r s b u i l d h o me s wi t h saw-
d u s t u mb r e l l a s o n t o p .
Bu t e v e n s t r a n g e r t h a n t h e t e r mi t e s
a r e t h e c r e a t u r e s t h a t l i ve wi t h t h e m,
f or a t e r mi t e n e s t c o n t a i n s o d d l i t t l e
gue s t s . S o d o a n t hi l l s, b e e h i v e s a n d
h o r n e t ne s t s . S o me a r e " b e g g a r s " a n d
s o me a r e " t hi e ve s . " T h e s t or y of i ns e c t
i n t r u d e r s t h a t f or c e t he i r wa y i n t o t h e
ne s t s of o t h e r i ns e c t s wi l l b e t o l d i n
t h e n e x t c h a p t e r .
KING AND SOLDIER
I N S E C T I N T R U D E R S
Qu i e t l y t h e l i t t l e wa x - mo t h ma k e s h e r
wa y i n t o t h e be e hi ve .
If t h e b e e s find h e r ,
t h e y wi l l ki l l he r .
T h e wa x - mo t h l a ys
a f ew e ggs i n t h e hi ve a n d flies a wa y .
How can a
mot h destroy
a honeycomb?
S o o n t h e e ggs h a t c h . T h e c a t e r pi l l a r s
ma k e t he i r wa y t o t h e c o mb . T h e y be-
gi n t o e a t t h e wa x , t u n n e l i n g t h r o u g h
i t a s t h e y go. T h e y l e a ve l i t t l e si l k
t h r e a d s a n d b i t s of g a r b a g e . S o o n t h e
wo n d e r f u l c o mb i s r u i n e d .
44
A b e e c o me s i n t o t h e hi ve wi t h t h r e e o r
f o u r l i t t l e f l i e s
Wha t ar e s ome
c l i n g i n g t o h e r
.
of the other ,-,-,, ,
. .
LL
. T h e y h a v e n o
hive-robbers? ' .
wmg s of t he i r o wn .
T h e y us e t h e b e e l i ke a n a i r p l a n e t o
t a k e t h e m f r om p l a c e t o pl a c e . Wh e n
t h e y ge t i n t o t h e hi ve , t h e y l a y t he i r
eggs . T h e t i ny l a r v a e e a t t h e wa x c a p of
t h e b e e c r a dl e s . Wh e n t h e y t u r n i n t o
a d u l t flies, t h e y ge t a b o a r d a n o t h e r i n-
s ect a i r p l a n e .
S o me t i me s a b e e b r i n g s i n t h e l a r v a
of t h e oi l be e t l e . Th i s b e c a me a t t a c h e d
whi l e t h e b e e wa s vi s i t i ng a flower f or
n e c t a r . N o w t h e l a r v a g o e s c r a wl i n g t o
t h e b r o o d c o mb . He r e i t f eeds o n t h e
be e ' s e ggs b e f o r e t h e y h a t c h . Gr o wi n g
l a r ge r , t h e l a r v a s t eal s h o n e y . Wh e n i t
t u r n s i n t o a n a d u l t oi l be e t l e , i t l e a ve s
t he be e hi ve .
The termite "majesties" in the "throne
room" of their "castle" (a chewed-up
wooden house). The queen is fed by the
workers; another worker cares for the eggs;
a soldier and the king are standing by. These
are wood termites.
What insects
invade nests
of wasps?
Wa s p f ami l i es h a v e t he i r vi s i t or s , t oo.
S o me Ve s p u l a wa s p s
of E u r o p e a r e h a r d -
wo r k i n g p a p e r bui l de r s .
Bu t a Ve s p u l a q u e e n
of a n o t h e r s peci es ma y c o me a l o n g . Sh e
e n t e r s t h e ne s t , fights wi t h t h e t r u e
q u e e n a n d finally ki l l s he r . So o n s he i s
l a yi ng h e r o wn eggs . Af t e r a f ew we e ks ,
t h e n e s t i s ma d e u p of t h e n e w Ve s p u l a
s peci es .
Wa s p s s o me t i me s h a v e a l i t t l e ga r -
ba ge - di s pos a l f or ce. T h e s e a r e t h e l ar -
v a e of t h e c o mmo n c l ot he s mo t h . T h e y
f eed o n t h e e mp t y s ki ns of i ns e c t s
t h a t h a v e b e e n d r o p p e d b y t h e wa s p s .
T h e y o u n g of a fly, k n o wn a s Vo l u c e l l a ,
f e e d o n d e a d i ns ect s . Ho we v e r , if n o t
e n o u g h d e a d o n e s a r e a r o u n d , t h e Vo l u -
cel l a ma y qui e t l y e a t a wa s p g r u b b e f o r e
t h e wo r k e r s c a n s t o p i t .
What is the
"paralyzer"?
An t s h a v e t h e mo s t gue s t s a n d vi s i t or s .
On e b u g , c a l l e d t h e
" p a r a l y z e r , " h a s spe-
ci al t uf t s of h a i r o n i t s
b o d y . T h e a n t s l i ck t h e s e c r e t i ons f r o m
t h e m, b u t t h e y s o o n l os e c o n t r o l of
t he i r mus c l e s . T h e n t h e b u g f e e ds o n
t h e a n t s wi t h i t s p o i n t e d b e a k .
Ki d n a p - b e e t l e s , o r r o v e be e t l e s , h i d e i n
t h e t u n n e l s of a n t ne s t s .
Wh e n a l a r v a i s c a r r i e d
s ome ot her , , .
. ., , p a s t , t h e b e e t l e
a nt visitors? .
s n a t c h e s i t r i ght o u t of
t h e wo r k e r ' s j a ws . T h e n t h e be e t l e r a c e s
f or s he l t e r wi t h i t s c a t c h . If t h e a n t
WINGED MALE AND NYMPH
WASP ENEMIES
LOMECHUSA BEETLE AND LARVA
c ha s e s i t , t h e be e t l e s qui r t s a n unpl e a s -
a n t fluid i n t h e a nt ' s f ace.
E v e n t h e t e r r i bl e a r my a n t s h a v e
t he i r c a mp- f ol l owe r s . Be e t l e s a n d b u g s
g o a l o n g o n a n t r a i ds . Ma n y of t h e m
a r e s h a p e d l i ke t h e a n t s t he ms e l ve s .
P r o b a b l y t hi s k e e p s t h e m saf e f r o m at -
t a c k . Wh e n f ood i s s ent b a c k t o t h e
q u e e n a n d t h e nur s e s , t h e camp- f ol -
l owe r s h e l p t he ms e l ve s . T h e a r my a n t s
a r e b l i n d a n d p r o b a b l y c a n n o t t el l t h e
di f f er ence.
T h e b e h e a d i n g a n t q u e e n f or c e s h e r
wa y i n t o a n o t h e r a n t hi l l . Sh e s ni ps off
t h e h e a d of t h e r e a l q u e e n . T h e a nt s ,
wi t h o u t a q u e e n , s o o n a d o p t he r . T h e y
r a i s e h e r e ggs a n d y o u n g . Bi t b y bi t , a s
t h e ol d a n t s di e off, t h e ne s t t u r n s i nt o
a f a mi l y of b e h e a d i n g a nt s .
S o me r o v e be e t l e s s e e m t o h a v e s uc h
a p l e a s a n t t a s t e t h a t t h e a n t s ne gl e c t
t he i r o wn b r o o d . T h e y f eed a n d l i ck t h e
be e t l e s k n o wn a s L o me c h u s a . T h e y
gi ve t h e m t h e f ood t h a t s h o u l d g o t o
t h e a n t l a r va e . Me a n wh i l e , t h e Lo me -
c h u s a g r u b s f eas t o n t h e y o u n g a nt s .
Af t e r a whi l e t h e a n t hi l l ma y di e.
What creatures live
in termite homes?
E v e n t h e bl i nd, d a r k - l o v i n g t e r mi t e s
h a v e t he i r l i t t l e
g u e s t s . T h e
wh i t e mi t e i s a
t i ny c r e a t u r e . I t r u n s al l ove r t h e b a c k s
a n d b o d i e s of t h e t e r mi t e s . Wh e n o n e
t e r mi t e f eeds a n o t h e r , t h e mi t e i s r i ght
a t h a n d . I t p o i n t s i t s b e a k r i ght i nt o t h e
b u b b l e of f ood g o i n g b e t we e n t h e m. F o r
s o me r e a s o n t h e t e r mi t e s d o n ' t s e e m t o
mi n d i t .
T e r mi t e mo u n d s h a v e be e t l e s a n d b u g s
o f m a n y t y p e s .
Wha t is a
A
/
, . An t s a r e f or e ve r at -
Jerrymunglum?
t a c k i n g t h e m, t oo.
Bu t t wo of t h e t e r mi t e ' s wo r s t e n e mi e s
l i ve r i ght i n t h e wa l l s of t h e mo u n d s .
On e i s t h e t e r mi t e l i z a r d t h a t s n a p s u p
e ve r y t e r mi t e i t finds. T h e o t h e r i s t he
s un s pi de r o r J e r r y mu n g l u m. Th i s cr ea-
t ur e , a b o u t t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of a n i n c h
l ong, l o o k s l i ke a b r o wn , h a i r y s pi de r .
I t s j a ws a r e l i ke pl i er s . I t f or c e s i t s wa y
r i ght t h r o u g h t h e wa l l s of t e r mi t e t un-
nel s . T h e n i t f e e ds o n t h e t e r mi t e s .
Wh y d o s oci al i ns e c t s a l l ow al l t he s e
46
c r e a t u r e s t o l i ve i n t he i r ne s t s ? Mo s t
of t h e m h a v e a t a s t e o r o d o r t h a t t h e
i ns ect s s e e m t o l i ke. Bu t t hi s ma y n o t
be t h e c o mp l e t e a n s we r .
I n t h e n e x t c h a p t e r y o u wi l l l e a r n
h o w t o ma k e y o u r o wn i ns e c t z oo.
T h e n , p e r h a p s , y o u ma y find s o me of
t h e a n s we r s your s e l f .
Y O U R I N S E C T Z O O
Ho n e y b e e s a r e f a s c i na t i ng t o wa t c h .
P e r h a p s y o u k n o w of
How can you
s o m e o n e w h o h a s a
wat ch bees , . . , .
A
. , hi ve of hi s o wn . A
h i g h s c hool bi ol ogy
t e a c h e r ma y b e a bl e t o h e l p y o u ge t
a n " o b s e r v a t i o n hi ve . " T h i s i s a l i t t l e
gl as s - wal l ed b e e c ol ony. P u t i t i n a
b r i g h t p l a c e a wa y f r o m di r e c t s unl i ght .
T h e n y o u c a n wa t c h t h e b e e s a t wo r k .
Wh a t d o y o u f eed y o u r c a pt i ve
h o n e y b e e s ? J u s t l e a ve t h e wi n d o w o p e n
a hal f - i nch a n d t h e y wi l l f eed t h e m-
sel ves. Fl y i n g a wa y f r o m t he i r n e w
h o me , t he y d i s a p p e a r i n t o t h e s ky. Ha l f
a n h o u r l a t e r t he y r e t u r n , l o a d e d wi t h
pol l e n a n d n e c t a r .
How can you
watch wasps?
Wa s p ne s t s a r e be s t l eft wh e r e y o u find
t h e m. Bu t y o u c a n
st i l l e nj oy wa t c h i n g
t h e m if y o u h a v e a
p a i r of b i n o c u l a r s . Y o u wi l l see t h e m
br i ngi ng flies a n d o t h e r i ns ect s .
T h e u n d e r s i d e of r oof s a n d s he l t e r e d
wal l s a r e g o o d p l a c e s t o fi nd mu d -
d a u b e r wa s ps . T h e y p a y n o a t t e n t i o n
t o y o u if y o u wa t c h t h e m qui e t l y. T h e n
y o u wi l l see t h e m b r i n g i n g s pi de r s t o
t hei r mu d nes t s . T h e s e wi l l s e r ve a s
f ood f or t he i r n e wl y - h a t c h e d l a r va e .
S a n d wa s p s c a n b e f ol l owe d a s t h e y
d r a g c a t e r pi l l a r s a l o n g t h e g r o u n d t o
t he i r hol es . E v e n l i t t l e p l a n t gal l s c a n b e
b r o u g h t i nt o t h e h o u s e a n d k e p t i n a
c l os e d j a r unt i l t he t i ny wa s p s h a t c h .
How can you
make a nest
for ants?
A n o b s e r v a t i o n a n t h o me i s c a l l e d a
formicarium. I t c a n
b e ma d e of t wo p a n e s
of gl as s s e p a r a t e d b y
s t r i ps of wo o d a r o u n d
t h e e dge s . T h e n , if a s ma l l a n t hi l l i s
d u g u p car ef ul l y, y o u wi l l find t h e
h u mp b a c k e d q u e e n . P u t h e r i n a j a r
wi t h s o me of h e r wo r k e r s , l a r v a e a n d
c o c o o n s . Y o u wi l l p r o b a b l y di s c ove r
t h a t y o u h a v e s o me of t h e s t r a n g e a n t
gue s t s , t oo. Ca r e f ul l y p l a c e t h e m al l i n
t h e f o r mi c a r i u m.
N o soi l i s n e e d e d f or y o u r a n t nes t .
Be f o r e y o u s eal i t u p , p l a c e a s p o n g e
n e a r o n e e d g e f or mo i s t u r e . Dr i l l t wo
hol e s i n t h e wo o d f or t wo me d i c i n e
d r o p p e r s . On e i s t o we t t h e s ponge , a n d
t h e o t h e r i s f or h o n e y , wa t e r a n d me l t e d
b u t t e r wi t h a l i t t l e e gg whi t e . T h i s wi l l
s e r ve a s f o o d f or t h e a nt s . T h e n t h e
p a n e s a r e t a p e d t o g e t h e r .
Ke e p t h e ne s t c o v e r e d wi t h d a r k
p a p e r e x c e p t wh e n l o o k i n g a t t h e a nt s .
A pi e c e of r e d c e l l o p h a n e o r gl as s wi l l
^
J &
A formicarium with earth between the panes of glass offers a good opportunity to study the interesting life of ants.
l et y o u wa t c h wi t h o u t d i s t u r b i n g t h e m.
11 s ee t h e a n t s f e e di ng t he i r a u e e n
l et y o u wa t c h wi t h o u t d i s t u r b i n g t h e m.
Y o u wi l l s ee t h e a n t s f e e di ng t he i r q u e e n
a n d c a r i n g f or t he i r y o u n g .
How can
termites
be kept?
If y o u wi s h t o wa t c h t e r mi t e s , pul l a p a r t
a n ol d s t u mp o r l og unt i l
y o u find a f ami l y of t he s e
i ns ect s . T h e n s e a r c h car e-
f ul l y f or t h e l a r g e k i n g
a n d hi s l a r ge r q u e e n . P u t t h e f a mi l y i n
a d a r k e n e d j a r . A d d bi t s of t h e wo o d
a n d l a b o r a t o r y filter p a p e r f or f ood.
Ke e p a mo i s t s p o n g e i n t h e j ar . T h e r e
i s l i t t l e d a n g e r of y o u r t e r mi t e s ge t t i ng
a wa y , a s t he y wo u l d di e s o o n af t er t he y
l eft t h e mo i s t u r e of t h e nes t .
T h e be s t i ns e c t z oo, h o we v e r , i s t h e o n e
t h a t i s r i ght o u t d o o r s .
Wi t h a m a g n i f y i n g
gl as s y o u c a n wa t c h
t h e i ns ect s a t wo r k i n
t he i r o wn h o me s . E v e n a ci t y p a r k h a s
What is the
best insect
zoo of al l ?
> -
i t s a nt s , be e s , wa s p s a n d t e r mi t e s . A
di s h of h o n e y o n a wi n d o w sill wi l l
s o o n a t t r a c t t h e be e s . Mu d p l a c e d
n e a r b y wi l l b e f o u n d b y mu d - d a u b e r
wa s ps . C h u n k s of soft wo o d wi l l b e
c h e we d u p b y t h e p a p e r wa s p s f or t hei r
h o me s . A b o u q u e t of flowers i n a gl as s
of wa t e r wi l l a t t r a c t i ns e c t vi s i t or s .
I n y o u r o u t d o o r z o o y o u c a n wa t c h
t h e a n t s i n t he i r ceas el es s ba t t l e s . Yo u
ma y s ee o t h e r ba t t l e s , t o o , f or s oci al i n-
s ect s wi l l fight wi t h a n y i ns ect t h a t i s
n o t f r o m t he i r o wn ne s t .
Y o u c a n wa t c h a fighting a n t wi t h i t s
a b d o me n b i t t e n off, st i l l fighting. Yo u
c a n d r o p a p i e c e of p a p e r o n t h e s cent -
t r a i l of t h e a n t s a n d wa t c h t h e m t r y t o
find t h e wa y a g a i n . Y o u c a n l e a r n wh i c h
c ol or s mo s t a t t r a c t bees .
T h e r e a r e ma n y o t h e r t hi ngs y o u c a n
find o u t your s e l f . Wh e n y o u see s ome-
t hi ng i nt e r e s t i ng, wr i t e i t d o wn . Soon
y o u wi l l h a v e a b o o k of y o u r o wn .
K ' ^ i M' x l
Bt >. V. A\
r
'M
HOW AND WHY WONDER BOOKS
Produced and approved by noted authorities, these books
answer the questions most often asked about science, na-
ture and history. They are presented in a clear, readable
style, and contain many colorful and instructive illus-
trations. Readers will want to explore each of these
fascinating subjects and collect these volumes as an
authentic, ready-reference, basic library.
5001
5002
5003
5004
5005
5007
5008
5009
5010
5011
5012
5013
5014
5015
5016
5017
5018
5020
5021
5022
5023
5024
5025
5026
5027
5028
5029
5030
5031
5032
5033
5034
DINOSAURS
WEATHER
ELECTRICITY
ROCKS AND MINERALS
ROCKETS AND MISSILES
INSECTS
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
BIRDS
OUR EARTH
BEGINNING SCIENCE
MACHINES
THE HUMAN BODY
SEA SHELLS
ATOMIC ENERGY
THE MICROSCOPE
THE CIVIL WAR
MATHEMATICS
BALLET
CHEMISTRY
HORSES
EXPLORATIONS AND
DISCOVERIES
PRIMITIVE MAN
NORTH AMERICA
PLANETS AND
INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL
WILD ANIMALS
SOUND
LOST CITIES
ANTS AND BEES
WILD FLOWERS
DOGS
PREHISTORIC MAMMALS
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
5035
5036
5037
5039
5040
5041
5042
5043
5045
5046
5047
5049
5050
5051
5053
5054
5055
5056
5057
5058
5059
5060
5061
5062
5063
5064
5065
5066
5067
5068
5069
WORLD WAR II
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS
ROBOTS AND
ELECTRONIC BRAINS
LIGHT AND COLOR
WINNING OF THE WEST
THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
CAVES TO SKYSCRAPERS
TIME
MAGNETS AND MAGNETISM
GUNS
FAMOUS SCIENTISTS
OLD TESTAMENT
BUILDING
TREES
OCEANOGRAPHY
NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS
MUSHROOMS, FERNS AND
MOSSES
THE POLAR REGIONS
COINS AND CURRENCY
BASIC INVENTIONS
THE FIRST WORLD WAR
ELECTRONICS
DESERTS
AIR AND WATER
STARS
AIRPLANES AND THE STORY
OF FLIGHT
FISH
BOATS AND SHIPS
THE MOON
TRAINS AND RAILROADS
WO N D E R B OOKS
A Division of Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.
New York, IN. Y. 10010