(Page SI) 



The body is much smaller; antennae proportionately more robust, their 

 third Joint shorter, but the distal joint longer. The hind corners of pro- 

 notum are more elongated and acute, and the side-margins of the first three 

 free dorsal joints of abdomen, but not the posterior margins golden-yel- 

 low haired. The legs are less robust, femora slender and not haired at the 

 knee-joints; hind tarsal first joint much shorter than in Lomechusa , much 

 shorter than the second and third joints together. 



From the end of August to the beginning of June of the following spring 

 the Atemeles species abide with Myrmica rubra (v. laevlnodis , v. ruginodis , 

 V. ru:<ulosa and v. scabrinodis ) and are treated by the ants like Lomechusa 

 by Formica san.^ulnea ; the ants feed and groom them and take them along when 

 they move. The beetles are not satisfied with the ant's feeding alone, 

 but also consume remnants of dead ants etc., and occasionally attack the 

 K'uraiica pupae, which are not protected by cocoons. Therefore these ants 

 chase them out of the abode while their young are bein^ reared. They now 

 scout about in search of suitable pieces for their ofspring, they seek and 

 are received by several Formica species (especially f usca and ruf ibarbis ) , 

 v.hich like to lick the moisture which the beetles exude. They lay their 

 ejjs in the abode of these ants, and here their young are reared by the ants, 

 which treat them as their own, notwithstanding the beetle-larvae will attack 

 the tender ant-brood. After finished develpment, et the end of August, 

 Atemeles again leave the mounds of Formica, and return to '.'y rmica , where 

 they winter. 



Of those in Europe distributea 6 species, ? are found in this country. 



.144. 



