Cljc dlanaliian Entomologist, 



VOL. XVI. 



LONDON, ONT., MARCH, 1884. 



No. 3 



TWO NEW MYRMECOPHIL.^ FROM THE UNITED STATES. 



BY LAWRENCE BRUNER, WEST POINT, NEBRASKA. 



Before describing these interesting little crickets which have been 

 neglected or overlooked so long in this country, it becomes necessary to 

 enter somewhat into details. The group being one not often written 

 upon, or the specimens often met with, they are therefore rare to collec- 

 tions. Prior to this account but two authentic notices of their capture in 



the United States have ap- 

 peared, viz., the one referring 

 to a specimen taken in Georgia 

 by H. K. Morrison, and the 

 other a reference to the pres- 

 ent described species, one 

 from the vicinity of Washing- 

 ton, D. C, and the other from 

 the Pacific coast, at Portland, 

 Oregon, the former of which 

 is herewith figured (fig. 4), a 

 representing the female, and 

 b the male. This is undoubt- 

 edly the largest Myrmecophila 

 known, being fully 4 m. m. in length, while the largest European species 

 measures nearly one fourth less. 



The habits of our two species, as far as known, agree well with those 

 of the Orient. They are to be met with in the nests of various species 

 of ants, and especially such as live in rotten stumps and logs or under 

 stones in damp localities. Among these may be mentioned Camponotus 

 pennsylvatiicics, Formica riifa, and Cremastogater liiieolata. 



This being the first description of insects in this country belonging to 

 the genus Myrmecophila, it would not be out of place here to give a short 

 diagnosis of the genus before proceeding to the species. 



+ 



Fig. 4. 



