N('i>h(vris and other Aiiti:<' Nest Beetles. 373 



OiK? would hardly expect a beetle of the genus Laojia to be 

 found with ants, but I have on several occasions seen a species 

 (formicicola, Lea) of that genus in ants' nests, and of more than 

 one kind of ant ; one, indeed, being the ferocious bull-dog ant 

 (Myi'uiecia sp.), the nests of which, for prudential reasons, one 

 does not care to too critically examine. 



Several species of Carabida? are to be seen in ants' nests, but 

 (except Adelotopus fasoiatus, Cast., which is slow moving) they 

 can seldom be taken, owing to the extreme rapidity of their 

 movements, in this respect being second, perhaps, to no other 

 insects in Australia. 



Trichopterygidae are to be seen in the nests of some kinds 

 of ants, sonietimes hundreds of specimens being in one nest 

 under a stone ; the}" are all fairly fast in their movements, 

 but do not seem to be unfriendly to the ants. 



Several species of Arthropterus of the Paussidae are to be 

 taken in ants' nests, and these (judging by other genera of the 

 family which are found with ants) are probably hostile. They 

 all can discharge a stinging vapour from the anus, much as do 

 the Brachinides (Pheropsophus, etc.). 



Most of the species of Cryptodus (Scarabaeidae) are tu be 

 taken in ants' nests, and all the species have the mouth parts 

 specially protected. 



Besides beetles, there are many very peculiar insects to be 

 taken in ants' nests all over Australia. A small cockroach and 

 a small jDallid cricket are fairly common. A pale, yellowish, 

 swift-moving silver-lish is very common (possibly there are 

 several congeners). Spring-tails are represented by many species. 

 A number of Hymenoptera are truly puiasitic, in their larval 

 stages, on the ants, including species of the remarkable family 

 Mymaridae (of this family I have taken a species, having but 

 two wings, in Tasmania). One Hymenopterous insect, common 

 in ants' nests under stones in Tasmania, is apterous, and with 

 a very peculiar abdomen. Coccidae of the genus Dactylopius 

 and allied genera, abound, being usually seen in the nests 

 attached to roots of grass. Several species of Aphides (so 

 frequently commented on as the "cows'' of the ants) are to be 

 taken, and a number of Lepidopterous larvae. Acaridae of 

 many sorts are to be seen, both running about the nests aad 

 attached to the bodies of the ants themselves. 



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