Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1913 — Selections [ARTICLE]

Selections

A CINGALESE DAINTY. White Ante if Ceylon and Their Num* ercus Natural Enemies. It la estimated that two-thirds of the Island of Ceylon Is undermined by white anta. The number of these Insects Is certainly quite incalculable; but it la fortunate that their natural enemies are almost as numerous. The workers are preyed upon by true anta and many other insects; by spiders, lizards and centipedes; by rata, mice and palm squirrels. But it Is the adult winged insects that are especially victimized. It Is probable that scarcely 1 per cent of the mature Insects survive the dangers of the periodic fights. They run the gauntlet of nearly every other animal. Birds, bats, squirrels, rata, toads and lizards all flock to the feast. Dogs and cats eat the winged anta with avidity. “Even man himself (foes not disdain to participate,” says E. E. Green. “The Tamil coolie looks upon a mess of fried termites as a great dainty, and I have several European acquaintances who consider that termites on toast form a dish worthy of more gen* oral laclusln In the menu. They are said to taste not unlike mushrooms.”