anaheim-gazette 1908-08-27

WHO'S UNCLE IS THIS ANT? PROF. WOODWORTH TELLS US HE'S "IN OUR MIDST." Argentine Insect May Develop Into Considerable of a Pest—Not Recognized But We Know Him—Biographical Sketch of His Career. Prof. C. W. Woodworth of the Agricultural experiment station at Berkeley, has favored us with a copy of his recently issued report upon "The Argentine Ant in California," which in sect seems of late to have attracted no little interest. We quote from Prof Woodworth's report as follows A pest that may easily prove to be the most troublesome insect ever introduced into the state has been recently discovered in our midst. Specimens of this insect were collected about a year ago by J. Chester Bradley, at that time an assistant of the University of California. The species was not recognized by him at the time as anything unusual and only within the last two months has the presence of the Argentine ant in the state been known. The identification of the insect was made by Professor W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum of Natural History, to whom these specimens of ants collected by Mr. Bradley had been submitted for identification. Dr. Wheeler at once made known the character of the insect and the writer has just returned from a trip east, where he consulted with Mr. Bradley and Dr. Wheeler and then proceeded to New Orleans to study up a full account of these records them from many points on the railroads leading out of New Orleans, as well as a large part town. Professor Newell this year ports them as occupying fully thousand square miles of territory extending from New Orleans toward to the Gulf of Mexico; north and west one hundred eighty to two hundred miles east beyond the boundary of state; and wherever the insects become abundant it has proven by far the most troublesome sort of ant, and has practically out all other species. The spread the insects will thus be seen slow, but it completely occupies the territory it infests. Damage to Citrus Trees The direct attack of these insects upon citrus trees is a matter can not be other than of the importance to California grown in the Louisiana experiment station Audubon Park, the product oranges was entirely prevented year through the attack of these sects upon the opening blossoms if these escape, upon the young itself. It was too late in the season for me to see the method of attack when I visited New Orleans as described to me, it consisted the insect simply boring into the terer of the bud and eating or ing enough of the substance to its destruction. This method attacking the blossoms of plants by any means confined to or since many other kinds of flies are also attacked. The ant has tirelessly destroyed the cut flower try in New Orleans. In some orchards about New Orleans, numerous methods have been tried to treat the insects from climbing of the insect was made by Professor W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum of Natural History, to whom these specimens of ants collected by Mr. Bradley had been submitted for identification. Dr. Wheeler at once made known the character of the insect and the writer has just returned from a trip east, where he consulted with Mr. Bradley and Dr. Wheeler and then proceeded to New Orleans and had opportunity to study the insect in that region, where it has been highly injurious for a number of years. Prof. E. S. Titus, who was the representative of the United States Division of Entomology to study the pest in New Orleans, has also recently visited with me one of the infested areas in this state and verified the insect in the laboratory and field. The exact locality of the collection made by Mr. Bradley has not been determined. It was supposed by him to be Ontario, but very careful examination of the ants of that district has been made without finding this species. It has been found abundantly however, in the following northern localities, East Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, San Jose, Cupertino and a point near Campbell. In the southern part of the state Prof. H. J. Quayle has just located a small colony in Los Angeles and another at Azusa and a third at Upland. The Argentine ant is primarily troublesome as a household pest, but in Louisiana it has also proven of first importance in the sugar cane fields and in the Orange orchards. The writer fears that, besides its other injurious habits, it may not be second in importance from the introduction of the white fly to which attention was called by this station a year ago, and which seems to be gradually spreading over the state. Of course there is a possibility that the insect may not prove equally troublesome in all parts of California on account of our peculiar climate; but on the other hand it may prove even more troublesome than at New Orleans. Indeed, Prof. Newell of the Louisiana crop pest commission, who has given more attention to a careful study of this insect of the bud and eating order of the insect was made by Professor W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum of Natural History, to whom these specimens of ants collected by Mr. Bradley had been submitted for identification. Dr. Wheeler at once made known the character of the insect and the writer has just returned from a trip east, where he consulted with Mr. Bradley and Dr. Wheeler and then proceeded to New Orleans and had opportunity to study the insect in that region, where it has been highly injurious for a number of years. Prof. E. S. Titus, who was the representative of the United States Division of Entomology to study the pest in New Orleans, has also recently visited with me one of the infested areas in this state and verified the insect in the laboratory and field. The exact locality of the collection made by Mr. Bradley has not been determined. It was supposed by him to be Ontario, but very careful examination of the ants of that district has been made without finding this species. It has been found abundantly however, in the following northern localities, East Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, San Jose, Cupertino and a point near Campbell. In the southern part of the state Prof. H. J. Quayle has just located a small colony in Los Angeles and another at Azusa and a third at Upland. The Argentine ant is primarily troublesome as a household pest, but in Louisiana it has also proven of first importance in the sugar cane fields and in the Orange orchards. The writer fears that, besides its other injurious habits, it may not be second in importance from the introduction of the white fly to which attention was called by this station a year ago, and which seems to be gradually spreading over the state. Of course there is a possibility that the insect may not prove equally troublesome in all parts of California on account of our peculiar climate; but on the other hand it may prove even more troublesome than at New Orleans. Indeed, Prof. Newell of the Louisiana crop pest commission, who has given more attention to a careful study of this insect of the bud and eating order of the insect was made by Professor W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum of Natural History, to whom these specimens of ants collected by Mr. Bradley had been submitted for identification. Dr. Wheeler at once made known the character of the insect and the writer has just returned from a trip east, where he consulted with Mr. Bradley and Dr. Wheeler and then proceeded to New Orleans and had opportunity to study the insect in that region, where it has been highly injurious for a number of years. Prof. E. S. Titus, who was the representative of the United States Division of Entomology to study the pest in New Orleans, has also recently visited with me one of the infested areas in this state and verified the insect in the laboratory and field. The exact locality of the collection made by Mr. Bradley has not been determined. It was supposed by him to be Ontario, but very careful examination of the ants of that district has been made without finding this species. It has been found abundantly however, in the following northern localities, East Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, San Jose, Cupertino and a point near Campbell. In the southern part of the state Prof. H. J. Quayle has just located a small colony in Los Angeles and another at Azusa and a third at Upland. The Argentine ant is primarily troublesome as a household pest, but in Louisiana it has also proven of first importance in the sugar cane fields and in the Orange orchards. The writer fears that, besides its other injurious habits, it may not be second in importance from the introduction of the white fly to which attention was called by this station a year ago, and which seems to be gradually spreading over the state. Of course there is a possibility that the insect may not prove equally troublesome in all parts of California on account of our peculiar climate; but on the other hand it may prove even more troublesome than at New Orleans. Indeed, Prof. Newell of the Louisiana crop pest commission, who has given more attention to a careful study of this insect of the bud and eating order of the insect was made by Professor W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum of Natural History, to whom these specimens of ants collected by Mr. Bradley had been submitted for identification. Dr. Wheeler at once made known the character of the insect and the writer has just returned from a trip east, where he consulted with Mr. Bradley and Dr. Wheeler and then proceeded to New Orleans and had opportunity to study the insect in that region, where it has been highly injurious for a number of years. Prof. E. S. Titus, who was the representative of the United States Division of Entomology to study the pest in New Orleans, has also recently visited with me one of the infested areas in this state and verified the insect in the laboratory and field. The exact locality of the collection made by Mr. Bradley has not been determined. It was supposed by him to be Ontario, but very careful examination of the ants of that district has been made without finding this species. It has been found abundantly however, in the following northern localities, East Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, San Jose, Cupertino and a point near Campbell. In the southern part of the state Prof. H. J. Quayle has just located a small colony in Los Angeles and another at Azusa and a third at Upland. The Argentine ant is primarily troublesome as a household pest, but in Louisiana it has also proven of first importance in the sugar cane fields and in the Orange orchards. The writer fears that, besides its other injurious habits, it may not be second in importance from the introduction of the white fly to which attention was called by this station a year ago, and which seems to be gradually spreading over the state. Of course there is a possibility that the insect may not prove equally troublesome in all parts of California on account of our peculiar climate; but on the other hand it may prove even more troublesome than at New Orleans. Indeed, Prof. Newell of the Louisiana crop pest commission, who has given more attention to a careful study of this insect of the bud and eating order of the insect was made by Professor W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum of Natural History, to whom these specimens of ants collected by Mr. Bradley had been submitted for identification. Dr.Wheeler at once made known the character of the insect and the writer has just returned from a trip east where he consulted with me one of infested areas in this state and verifiedthe insectin therelaborationsforonlya dayortwo.Insects soon crossthe bandsparticlesofdustoruponthesurfaceofthegroundchardswillpreventtheformationburrows,andthereforekeepourchardsfairlyfreefrominsects theirhabitofnestingamongrootsoftrees,andthatoftravellongdistancesmayenableneverthelesstodothesamehereasinLouisiana. Household Pest. It is primarily,however,ahold pest thatthisinsecthasitselfdreadedinLouisiana.Nohas evergiventhepeopleofthattrictso muchannoyanceandnsecthasbeen so hardtocontroltheArgentineant。它hasfullytainedits reputationintheinsectdistrictshereinCaliforniaItsareverysimilartothoseofspeciesbutitsceaselesswantsandsmallsizeenableitouteveryhidingplace,andeverfoodisfoundtheywillsoswarmingincountlessnumbers. The oldandwell-knownmethodplacingthelegsfowntablesinofwaterforinstance.isofnowwhateveragainstthisspeciesofsincetheslightestaccumulationdustuponthesurfaceofthefurnishesa sufficientbridgewhichtheantcanpass.它verygeneralfeeder,eatinganythatotherspeciesofantsincludingallkindsofdormmateandbothProfessorTitusandPorsorNewellreportcaseswherehavedirectlyattackedinfants to be gradually spreading over the state. Of course there is a possibility that the insect may not prove equally troublesome in all parts of California on account of our peculiar climate; but on the other hand it may prove even more troublesome than at New Orleans. Indeed, Prof. Newell of the Louisiana crop pest commission, who has given more attention to a careful study of this insect than any one else, expressed to me his belief that our climate would be more favorable for the ant than that of Louisiana. At any rate the possibility of the insect becoming a pest in California comparable to the work it has already done in Louisiana should cause us to give the matter serious thought. As the name Argentine ant suggests the insect was first described from the Argentine Republic. It is common also in Brazil and is doubtless native of the Southern part of South America. No one has given us an account of the seriousness of the insect in its native country. The only record we have of the insect is in Madera, where it was reported as long ago as 1898 to have entirely displaced other species and become apparently the same sort of a pest which it has proven to be about New Orleans. It was noted as early as 1891 along the wharves in New Orleans, where the coffee ships from Brazil were docked. By 1895 another region five or six miles up the river was noticed to be infested. In 1899 they were already present at Audubon Park. By 1894 Mr. Titus of the United States Department of Agriculture, who was the first to give whatever against this species of since the slightest accumulation dust upon the surface of the furnishes a sufficient bridge which the ant can pass. It very general feeder, eating any that other species of ants including all kinds of food material and both Professor Titus and Professor Newell report cases where have directly attacked infants most distressing manner, and capable of biting severely enough quite a nuisance to larger humanings. It is much mere successful any of our native species in our food. Just outside of the infestation district the native species are usually abundant. An area would afford forage ground for a dredged native ants is infested by ten thousand of the Argentine species. Stored Products. The Argentine ant proves very noying in warehouses and stores well as in residences. Every of food product seems to be attacked by these creatures. Fruits and fresh, meal, sugar, etc., are subject to attack and the impossibility of protecting such products attacks makes it unusually exasperating. Occurrence in California We already have numerous spat of ants in this state. The ffee to which this ant belongs is tinguished from other ants by structure of the feet, shown in figure accompanying the report related ants the ridges near antennae arise from the upper account of these insects, from many points along the leading out of New Orleans as a large part of the messor Newell this year re-occupying fully five square miles of territory from New Orleans south-west one hundred and two hundred miles and on the boundary of the wherever the insect has evident it has proven itself most troublesome species which has practically driven the species. The spread of will thus be seen to be completely occupies all its infests. to Citrus Trees. The attack of these insects on trees is a matter that rather than of the highest California growers. At an experiment station at Park, the production of entirely prevented this by the attack of these in-the opening blossoms, or rose, upon the young fruit is too late in the season see the method of attriished New Orleans, but to me, it consists in simply boring into the cedar and eating or injuring the substance to cause an. This method of attribsoms of plants is not confined to oranges, other kinds of flowers sucked. The ant has enclosed the cut flower indus-orleans. In some of the cut New Orleans, numerals have been tried to pre-tects from climbing the of the clypeus. The most satisfactory character for identification of the Argentine ant in distinguishing it from other members of this family is the arrangement of the teeth, shown also in the figure of the report. All the other species have some other arrangement. The Argentine bears the name Iridomyrnex humilis Mayr. One other member of this genus is found in the Southern States. Other species occur in South America, in southern Asia and Australia, More Information Needed. We are far from certain that the distribution of the Argentine ant is limited to the localities mentioned above. It would be very desirable to know at the earliest possible moment of the presence of the insect in any other locality because of the possibility of eradication. Eradication is possible and has often been accomplished with a variety of insects when taken soon enough. We would like to suggest, therefore, that specimens of ants of all kinds be sent in to the Experiment station for authentic determination. We will be pleased to eaxmine and report upon all such material sent. How to Send Specimens. Specimens may be sent through the mail if enclosed in any tight receptacle. We would suggest for this purpose the use of an ordinary gelatin capsule. These can be obtained at any drug store. The insect: can be collected by wetting the finger and putting it quickly over the ants, and before they can untangle themselves they can be enclosed in the capsules. Put but a single ant in a capsule, but collect two or three and eating or injurof the substance to cause an. This method of atlossoms of plants is not was confined to oranges, other kinds of flowers packed. The ant has enshed the cut flower indusOrleans. In some of the but New Orleans, numerhave been tried to preects from climbing the even as effective a baranglefoot has proven effely a day or two. The cross the bands upon dust or upon the dead member of the collee is a possibility that of keeping a dry mulch piece of the ground in orrevent the formation of therefore keep our orfree from insects, but of nesting among the ants, and that of traveling ties may enable them to do the same injury Louisiana. Household Pest. Fully, however, as a house that this insect has made in Louisiana. No insect on the people of that disannoyance and no inso hard to control as ant. It has fully mainmutation in the infested in California Its habsimilar to those of other its ceaseless wandering size enable it to seek leading place, and when found they will soon be countless numbers. Well-known method of eggs of tables in dishes instance, is of no avail unst this species of ants, highest accumulation of the surface of the water sufficient bridge over it can pass. It is a feeder, eating anything species of ants attack, kinds of food materials, Messor Titus and Profesport cases where they attacked infants in a the mail if enclosed in any tight receptacle. We would suggest for this purpose the use of an ordinary gelatin capsule. These can be obtained at any drug store. The insect: can be collected by wetting the finger and putting it quickly over the ants, and before they can untangle themselves they can be enclosed in the capsules. Put but a single ant in a capsule, but collect two or three at least of each kind. It is very desirable to have a considerable number because of the danger of individual specimens being damaged, three or four will be amply sufficient. If more than one kind is collected keep them separate and give the exact locality of each. The capsules may be enclosed in a small box and mailed to the Entomological Department, University of California. Life History. The whole life history of the Argentine ant has not yet been made out. Professor Newell has given us the most complete account of these insects, and has secured splendid observations which he will probably publish later.. As far as his studies have gone, there are only three forms in the case of this species—the worker ant, which is the one commonly found about the surface of the ground, and the only one which is ordinarily observed; the queen or female, which is considerably larger than the worker; and at certain seasons there are often a considerable number of winged males. Young females also occur at times in considerable unmbers. These soon lose their wings and become the ordinary queens. In every nest there will be found a great number of ants in the early stages. The eggs and very young ants are often stuck together and are handled by the worker ants en masse. Before the young grubs become half-grown they will be cared for individually. The ants are continually tending these young feeding them from day to day and transporting them about from one part of the nest to another to maintain heat and moisture conditions most satisfactorily and when one breaks into a nest he will observe the workers busy trying to rescue these young insects. When In most this species of ants, the brightest accumulation of the surface of the water is sufficient bridge over it can pass. It is a feeder, eating anything species of ants attack, kinds of food materials, Professor Titus and Professors report cases where they attacked infants in a long manner, and are causing severely enough to be prone to larger human bemse. Before the young grubs become half-grown they will be cared for individually. The ants are continually tending these young feeding them from day to day and transporting them about from one part of the nest to another to maintain heat and moisture conditions most satisfactorily and when one breaks into a nest he will observe the workers busy trying to rescue these young insects. When the larvae become full grown they transform into a pupal stage in which the legs and other appendages of the full-grown insect are readily seen, but which are not capable of movement. The ant does not spin a cocoon in this stage as is common in many species. Finally, just as the ant emerges into a perfect insect, one can observe the color of the eyes and then of the rest of the body, beginning first as a pale brown, but before emergence becoming almost as dark as the older ants. Previous to this time the insects are almost pure white. Nest Habits. The Argentine is a persistent nest builder and digs burrows everywhere. The nest, however, is not a compact affair, but consists simply of burrows often isolated from each other, often deserted and then reoccupied and there is not the sharp distinction between families which is observed among so many ants. Mother insects may be dwelling contentedly together; indeed the ants of one district seem to form one large family, no matter how many burrows or how many separate establishments may be founded. Rates for Admission Day (Sept. 9, 1908) AND Labor Day (Sept. 7, 1908) Celebrations at different points on this will be very this year. These low fares will be in effect beall stations in California. Tickets on sale Sept. 5 to 9, inclusive. Return Limit Sept. 10, 1908. Want to tell you about the rates. Phone or call at Santa Fe Office. New Job Faces Just Received Another consignment to follow in a few days Phone your Orders for Job Work to the GAZETTE Printing Establishment Artistic printers and artistic printing 1-4 off on all Summer Suits and Fancy Vests We are offering all our Summer Suits and White Vests at a discount of 25 per cent. Summer Suits and Fancy Vests We are offering all our Summer Suits and White Fancy Vests at a discount of 25 per cent. With every $40.00 in checks you get one of our Busy Bee Phonographs. ungbluth & Kroeger 127 W. Center St YPTUS IN CALIFORNIA. In the eucalyptus is steadily and every scrap of in relation to this won-up of trees is sought. Tracts are being planted and capital has been attracted to cities of it for a future time. We learn that at the time a number of eastern areas looking into the Sacramento with a view of securing tract of land upon which eucalyptus forest. It would change thing if the treeless California should yet be source of supply for the rest of the United States, yet possibilities of the eucalyptus family, and the rapid consumption of hard woods in the East, this is not at all improbable. There is no tree that will grow as rapidly as the eucalyptus, and it will not do anywhere in the United States as it will in California. It is not adapted to the low temperatures of the East and could not be grown there. Its native home is in Australia and there it grows to perfection under similar climatic conditions as those in our California valleys. With the prices hard woods are now commanding, and these prices are steadily advancing as the supply is being reduced and the rapidity with which the eucalyptus grows, there is no reason why in a few years California should not become the source of the hard wood supply of the country.