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Secretions Of The Aphis

Categories: BEE PASTURAGE.
Bee Keeping: Mysteries Of Bee-keeping Explained

The liquid ejected by the aphis, (plant louse,) when feeding or sucking

the juices of tender leaves, and received by the ants that are always

in attendance, is something like it; but in this case the bees were in

attendance instead of ants.



This mode of elaborating honey, although not generally collected by

bees, perhaps may not be too much out of place here. Also, it may

furnish a clue to the cause or su
stantiate some theory of honey-dew.



These insects (_Aphis_) have been very appropriately termed "ants'

cows," as they are regarded by them with the most tender care and

solicitude. In July or August, when the majority of the leaves of our

apple trees are matured, there is often a few sprouts or suckers about

the bottom or trunk, that continue growing and putting out fresh

leaves. On the under side of these, you will find the _aphis_ by

hundreds, of all sizes, from those just hatched to the perfect insect

with wings. All appear to be engaged in sucking the bitter juice from

the tender leaf and stalk. The ants are among them by scores. (They are

often accused by the careless observer of the injury, instead of the

_aphis_.) Occasionally there will issue from their abdomen a small,

transparent globule, which the ant is ever ready to receive. When a

load is obtained it descends to the nest; others may be seen going and

returning continually. Many other kinds of trees, shrubs and plants are

used by the ants as "cow pasture," and most kinds of ants are engaged

in this dairy business.[11] Would the bees attend on the _aphis_ for

this secretion, (for it appears to be honey,) if the ant was not there

first? Or if there were no ants or bees, would this secretion be

discharged, and falling on the leaves below them, be honey-dew? If they

were situated on some lofty trees, and it lodged on the leaves of small

bushes near the earth, it would, with some authors.



[11] The history of insects, as published by Harpers, gives more

particulars on this interesting subject.



These questions I shall not answer, at present. As for theory, I shall

probably have enough before I get through, where I hope the subject may

be more interesting.[12]



[12] Since the foregoing was written, I have made some further

observations on this subject. In August, 1852, I noticed, on

passing under some willow trees, (_Salix Vitellina_,) that

leaves, grass, and stones, were covered with a wet or shining

substance. On looking among the branches, I found nearly all the

smallest were covered with a species of large black _aphis_,

apparently engaged in sucking the juices, and occasionally

discharging a minute drop of a transparent liquid. I _guessed_

this might be the honey-dew. As this was early in the morning, I

resolved to visit this place again, as soon as the sun got up far

enough to start out the bees, and see if they collected any of

it. On my return I found not only bees in hundreds, but ants,

hornets, and wasps. Some were on the branches with the _aphis_,

others on the leaves and larger branches. Some of them were even

on the stones and grass under the trees, collecting it.



We will now return to the flowers, and see what few there are yet to

appear, after the middle of July. The button-ball bush (_Cephalanthus

Occidentalis_) is now much frequented for honey. Also, our vines,

melons, cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins. The latter are visited only

in the morning, and honey is the only thing obtained; notwithstanding

the bee is covered with farina, it is not kneaded into pellets on its

legs. I have seen it stated that bees never get honey early in the

morning, but pollen instead. Now it is not best always to take our

word, who pretend to know all about it, but look for yourselves into

some of these matters. Take a look some warm morning, when the pumpkins

are in bloom, and see whether it is honey or pollen they are in quest

of. Also please make an observation when they are at work on the red

raspberry, motherwort, or catnip; you will thus ascertain a fact so

easily, that you will wonder any one with the least pretension to

apiarian science could be ignorant of it. I mention this, not because

it is of much importance in itself, but to show the fallibility of us

all, as we sometimes copy the mistaken assertions of others.



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