128 



INSECTS 



matter, are found in the nests or galleries of ants, and 

 are at least tolerated if not directly favored. 



Then, as in all great cities, so the large formicaries 

 are inhabited by a rabble of scavengers, thieves, mess- 

 mates of all kinds, living in friendly or hostile relations 

 as the case may be. These are of the most diverse 

 characters, from the lowly Thysanuran to the fellow 

 ant of smaller size or dominating type. Over 1000 

 species of Myrmecophiles, as such species are called, 



have been already listed 

 and their habits more or 

 less fully studied and there 

 is no doubt that there are 

 at least as many more. 

 Some of these, like a va- 

 riety of rove-beetles and 

 some other of the Clavi- 

 corn series, are scavengers, 

 living on the decaying par- 

 ticles of organic matter 

 found in the galleries, and 

 may repay the ants by ex- 

 cretory substances coming 



from specialized tufts of hair or glandular surfaces. 

 These are favored and protected, while others that pay 

 nothing for their living usually keep out of the way as 

 much as possible. Some few species, belonging to the 

 Histeridcz or pill beetles, are positively harmful to the 

 colonies, but are so well protected by their shining armor 

 of chitin, that the ants can do nothing with them. It is 

 a case of simply enduring what cannot be cured, and 

 such intruders must be constantly on their guard not 

 to expose leg or antenna w^hen the owners of the nest 

 are about. A few caterpillars have been found in for- 

 micaries and these feed on the dead leaves in, over, or 



FIG. 62. Hister species found in 

 ants' nests. 



