INII KKI I \I|M\ Ml 



200 



ing .ml as it it Wtrt an ;mt itM-lf. Iii the Alle^hai meles 



/;</ occurs in tin /'riii rnhi. ;ni(l i> much pri/cd by thi 



on account of the lluid which tin- hectic BecretjM from glandular hairs 

 on tlu- sides of the abdomen. 



The beetle ('Itrcigcr ha> at the IMM- of each elytron a tuft of 1: 



FIG. 293. Lomechusa strumosa being freed of mites by Dinarda dentata. After WASMANN. 



FIG. 294.- 



-Atemeles entarginatus being fed by an ant, Myrmica scabrinodis. After 

 WASMANN. 



which the ants lick persistently. This beetle is blind and appears to be 

 incapable of feeding itself; for when deprived of ant-assistance it dies, 

 even though surrounded by food. These cases of symbiosis, or mutual 

 benefit, are well authenticated. 



Visitors. Many myrmecophilous insects are not restricted to ants' 

 nests, but are free to enter or to leave. This is true of such Staphylinidae 

 as visit formicaries simply for shelter or to feed upon detritus, and these 

 visitors are treated with indifference by the ants. 



