Ant Invasion. Joe Miller

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      “Well done,” cried Zap. “All that flying practice is starting to pay off.”

      “Thanks,” said Crunch, huffing and puffing.

      Buzz the ladybird landed on a crumbling tree trunk.

      “Why does Gonzo make us practise so hard?” he said. “I’m pooped.”

      “Did someone say poo?” cried Lurch, flying down to join them. “I need a new dung ball.”

      Lurch the dung beetle thought about poo all the time. Zap reckoned he even dreamed about poo!

      “I need a snack,” said Buzz. “Flying always makes me hungry.”

      Zap hovered in the air above his three friends.

      “We’ll eat after Web Patrol,” he said. “We promised Gonzo we’d keep an eye on Spinner’s webs.”

      Spinner was Zap’s biggest enemy. The giant spider wanted to take control of the wood – and he’d stop at nothing to get his own way.

      “We haven’t seen Spinner for days,” said Lurch. “Perhaps we’ve scared him off.”

      “Spinner wouldn’t give up that easily,” said Zap. “He’s sure to have something else planned and —”

      Zap didn’t have time to finish his sentence.

      “Woo-aahh!” came a cry from above.

      He looked up to see Guy the gadfly speeding towards him. Zap flew quickly out of the way, as Guy landed on his back next to Buzz.

      “Looks like someone else needs some flying practice,” laughed Lurch.

      Guy rolled over and jumped up blinking his large, shiny green eyes.

      “Hi guys,” he said, speaking really quickly. “Why aren’t you at the moving-in party for the yellow ants? They’re setting up home beneath one of the acacia trees on the edge of the wood.”

      “What yellow ants?” asked Zap, frowning. There had never been any yellow ants in Spinner’s Wood.

      But Guy had already sped off again. “Can’t stop,” he called over his shoulder. “I’m heading back there now. The food is yummy scrummy!”

      “Let’s go to the party!” cried Buzz.

      Zap laughed. “I thought you were tired.”

      “I’m never too tired for party food,” replied Buzz.

      Zap smiled at his excited friends. “Web Patrol first and then, party. Deal?” he said.

      The Bug Buddies flew off on their rounds. They checked on Spinner’s favourite webs. But they were either completely destroyed or full of holes. Zap hovered in the air before a torn web that was covered in dirt. Buzz came up beside him.

      “Perhaps that’s why the ants have moved in,” said Buzz, as they gazed at the ruined web. “Because Spinner has moved out. The wood’s safe again.”

      “I hope that’s true,” replied Zap uncertainly. “But Spinner has lived in the wood his whole life, would he really just leave?”

      Lurch flew up beside them. “Stop worrying,” he told Zap. “Spinner’s gone, it’s a beautiful day and we’ve a party to go to!”

      Zap wanted to do one last web check, but his friends were already heading off. He flew after them, taking a final look back at the raggedy web.

      Had Spinner really left the wood for good?

      

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