Vol. XXVII. 



igio 



] Lea^ The Guests of Ants, Bees, and Termites. 53 



they are seldom actually found in their nests. We have many 

 species in Australia, but, with four known exceptions, they all 

 belong to the genus Arthropterus, and of these most of the 

 known specimens have been taken at lights. They have the 

 power of projecting a liquid that on exposure to the air explodes 

 with a slight noise, and is slightly caustic in its action, somewhat 

 like the well-known bombardier or smoke beetles. The explosions 

 can be caused even after death by pressing the bodies of the 

 insects. Most of our species are extremely rare. 



The Colydiidce are represented by two genera that, so far, have 

 only been found in ants' nests. Of these Kershawia rugiceps 

 (the only species of its genus), has the head wide, mouth parts 

 very small, and antennae very peculiar. Nepharis is represented 

 by four species (one as yet to be named), of which alata has the 

 prothorax curiously inflated on each side ; costata has the 

 prothorax strongly ridged, and a remarkable flange-like process on 

 the lower surface of the head ; and Goudiei has very singular 

 antennae and eyes so small as to be almost invisible. 



The Trichopterygidce, a family of very minute beetles, is 

 represented by at least four blind species of the genus Bodwayia, 

 and, being extremely minute, they are easily overlooked, so that 

 probably many more have yet to be found, as, so far, not one 

 species has been recorded from South Ai^stralia or Queensland, 

 where they probably only need looking for to be found, and only 

 one from Western Australia and New South Wales. Tasmania 

 has produced three species, and the nests of some species of 

 ants, particularly Colobopsis gasseri and Polyrachis hexacantha 

 are seldom without them ; in a large nest of the latter species of 

 ant sometimes thousands of specimens of R. ovata occur, 

 hundreds being in sight at the one time. Their nearest relation 

 is a North American genus, Limulodes, that is also blind and 

 occurs in ants' nests. 



One singular species from Queensland, shortly to be described 

 and figured under the name of Tretothorax deistostoma, appears 

 to be the sole representative of a new family. Most of the 

 specimens of it are obtained covered in mud, but on removing 

 this a hole can be seen right through the prothorax, and the palpi 

 are entirely concealed. 



Of the Scarahceidce a few species have been taken in nests, but 

 apparently as chance visitors ; but probably all the numerous 

 species of CryjHodus visit ants' nests. As their mouth parts are 

 curiously modified, they are probably hostile. They are also 

 amongst the largest of the visitors, some of the species being 

 almost an inch in length. 



The GurculionidcE, or weevils, the largest of all families of 

 beetles, is represented by a single minute species of the genus 

 T'asmanica ; although Cordics hospes, of the allied family 



