ANT SWARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21457, 3 April 1933, Page 13

ANT SWARMS

Sir, —Tho many reports published in tho Herat,n on the greet ant swarms occurring in both islands during tho last three months are of peculiar interest and importance to New Zealand entomologists. The writer of tho article in tho Hkhald on March 24 stated that "about 15 species of ants are known in New Zealand." Hero I may stato that 21 species of nativo ants belonging to several families and genera have be<)r\, described by eminent hymenopliGTists from New Zealand. I also possess one more new and undescribed species discovered lately. Tho various forms of ants swarm on calm days of hot sunshine from December to March. The last nine months of such weather experienced in the North Island havo been conducive to tho phenomenal increase of theso warmth-loving and remarkable insects. Though 1 have observed only two swarms, each one being of a different species, large swarms have passed over many districts in Taranaki, as evidenced by the largo numbers of ants entangled in spiders' webs, and others floating on the edges of pools and lakes. When a nest of ants rises to swarm it is joined by swarms from other nests, and often forms a cloud-like mass of enormous dimensions. In flying over the land numbers drop to the earth to shako off their wings and set to work to found new ant colonies. It is a magnificent spectacle in ant life to witness the myriads of glistening wings in the sunshine in an ant swarm. \V. W. Smith. New Plymouth, March 29.