ARMY OF BLACK ANTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2012, 20 March 1914, Page 8

ARMY OF BLACK ANTS.

IN AUCKLAND* MYRIADS PLYING IN STREETS. <Uj TeleEraßh.—P'ress iaagciitlop.) Auckland, Match 19. Within the last few years blast ants have spread rapidly in the vicinity of Auckland. During the wannest hours yesterday myriads of tliese insects were ttj-iug aooat. Fort Street was swarming with them, and they were in plenty on the wharves and in. Queen Street'; ineu and women were badly pestered. These black ants bite- -viciously, and some of those who received their attentions fouud'.littlo lumps raised on their skin. An Aucklander, who was out fishing, found himself in the midst of a swarm of these ants, his bare Jtcck and legs being the special objects of attack. At the Grammar School also the boys had a lively time. A lady walking on Cemetery Bridge, carrying a young baby, was seen waving her arms about so excitedly that a man hurried along to see what was the matter. Mo' was made fully aivar-o of the cause when he got amongst tho ants.

T'lio phenomenon, which is of annual occurrence, was more striking .yesterday on account of its great extant. The .swarming of the-, ants js connected 1 with what is known as tlie "marriage flight" of tljo insects, the males and females ! leaving their nests at this time of the year preparatory to settling in new col- ! onies. After the flight tlio females settle clown to domesticity, and pluck off their wiwgs so that during the greater part of tie year atits can rarely ho found able to fly. The- particular species which was swell a nuisance yesterday appears to be an imported one, which is multiplying yep' rapidly, and of which great colonies can be found iji many houses, where the insects are. tli-e cause of much trouble, because of their fondness for' edibles of all kinds, and their persistence in searching for food and swarming upon it when found.