Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 281, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1918 — ANT NURSES OF BUTTERFLIES [ARTICLE]

ANT NURSES OF BUTTERFLIES

Peculiar Relationship Which Naturalist* Have Observed Between Crea- , r - tures Which are Enemies. Ants and butterflies are not ordinal*ily on friendly terms, for ants have a ruthless custom of seizing and devouring their winged acquaintance*. There is, however, one species of butterfly the larvae of Which are protected by the large black ants/ound in Indian gardens. .The secret of this care lies In the fact that the larvae give out a sweet liquid of which the ants are very fond, and which they obtain by gently stroking the little creatures with their antennae. At the foot of a bush on which the larvae feed, the ants construct a temporary nest and aye then ready to act as attentive nurse*. About the middle of June the ante are busy running about on this bush in search of the larvae, and driving them downward toward their own nest. When the prisoners reach their places, they at once fan into pupae. During this period, if the loose earth at the foot of the bush be scraped away, hundreds of larvae and pupa* may be seen arranged In a broad even band about its trunk. In about a week the butterfly is ready to come forth and is tenderly* assisted to leave its shelL If It is strong and healthy, it Is allowed to spread its wings and fly away, but should it prove dellcrixe the anta exercise the utmost care In assisting it to the tree, and holding it there in safety. It is a curious sight to watch these fragile creatures going about In perfect confidence among the fierce ants, which have, however, by no mean* adopted the profession of nursing for the love of IL for when the larvae of another species are thrown among them they Immediately set upon them and tear them in pieces.