Joe Miller - Ant Invasion

With special thanks to Mariam Vossough

To my goddaughter, Amy M

Title Page

Dedication

Epigraph Epigraph Spinner’s Wood is full of sticky mud, tall trees and long grass. But most of all, it’s full of bugs! Now, some people think that bugs are pests. But they haven’t met Gonzo or the Bug Buddies – four best friends called Zap, Buzz, Lurch and Crunch. Their life would be perfect if it wasn’t for a spider called Spinner, who has eight legs and one mission: to trap the whole wood in his evil web. But you’ll soon find out that even bugs can be heroes …

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Bug Facts

Copyright

About the Publisher

Spinner’s Wood is full of sticky mud, tall trees and long grass. But most of all, it’s full of bugs! Now, some people think that bugs are pests.

But they haven’t met Gonzo or the Bug Buddies – four best friends called Zap, Buzz, Lurch and Crunch. Their life would be perfect if it wasn’t for a spider called Spinner, who has eight legs and one mission: to trap the whole wood in his evil web. But you’ll soon find out that even bugs can be heroes …

Zap flew beneath Crunch, feeling tinier than ever next to the giant stag beetle. His antennae twitched nervously as he looked at his friend’s antlers. He could get squished at any moment! Crunch was a big beetle with a big problem – he was rubbish at flying. Gonzo the wise old grasshopper had been teaching them some flying techniques, but Crunch still had a lot to learn. Zap hoped his friend wouldn’t wobble into him!

“Try to keep your antlers still when you fly,” Zap reminded him. He held his breath as Crunch headed down towards Rotten Row. Please don’t crash-land, he thought. Crunch zoomed in close to the ground and stretched out his wings for balance. Yes! Crunch managed to land without falling flat on his face.

“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?

It wasn’t hard for the Bug Buddies to find the party. They just followed the sound of excited laughter echoing off the trees.

“It sounds like a buzzing party,” joked Buzz.

They landed beneath the acacia tree and a yellow ant immediately rushed over to them.

“The famous Beetle Ball champions!” he cried. “I’ve heard all about you.”

Zap’s antennae pricked up in surprise. “How come?” he asked. “You’ve only just arrived in Spinner’s Wood.”

“We’ve been talking to some of the bees,” said the ant, pointing a leg upwards.

Zap glanced up to see a group of bees hovering in the blossom of the acacia tree. “They don’t usually collect acacia pollen,” he said.

“We told them to try it – it’s scrumptious,” the ant hurriedly explained. “Would you like some of the extra-sweet honey they’ve made?”

“I thought you’d never ask!” said Buzz, pushing his way to the front.

The ant led the Bug Buddies into the party. The place was packed with so many insects, Zap had to try hard not to get trodden on!