‘¢ THE PHORESY OF ANTHEROPHAGUS.”’ 1838 
Wheeler, after quoting the different views expressed by authors on 
the feeding habits of Antherophagus and its larvee, concludes that the 
larvee of these beetles are in all probability merely scavengers in the 
Bombus nests. 
PuHoRESY. 
I would attribute the case of the myrmecophilous mite Laelapsis 
equitans to category (1). This species was described by Michael in 
1891 from specimens taken by him in Italy in nests of Tvtramorium 
caespitum. On 22nd April, 1907, I discovered it in a nest of the same 
ant situated under a large stone at Whitsand Bay, Cornwall. The 
mites were riding on the ants, and every now and then would jump off 
an ant, and spring on to another whilst in motion, with great agility 
aiter the manner of a circus-rider. This was again observed in the 
same locality on 17th April, 1909 (1910) and on Lundy Island 11th 
April, 1913. On July 9th this year, this mite was observed in a nest 
of the same ant at Porthcothan Bay, Cornwall. They were riding on 
the ants, resting on the heads or on the gasters of the porters; but on 
this occasion they were not seen to jump on and off, which led me to 
think they might belong to another species. The Rey. Hull, however, 
tells me they are L. equitans- without doubt. Whether this difference 
in behaviour was on account of the day being dull without sunshine, 
or the time of year being later, 1am unable to say. In every case, 
however, the mites were adults, and not immature forms. 
Laelaps oophilus, which occurs witb ants of the genus Mormica, may 
be classed in the 5th category, when it nests on and among the egg 
masses of the ants. It is fed however when the ants lick their 
eges (Syntrophy), and is of course carried about by the ants, when they 
move their packets of eggs. (This species was unfortunately recorded as 
L. equitans in 1902, from specimens taken by me on and among the egg- 
masses of Formica rufa at Oxshott and the Blean Woods in May, 1901.) 
Later in the year when the ants’ eggs have hatched it may be found 
on the bodies of queen ants (1907), when it comes under the first 
category. 
Beetles of the genus Claviger may also come under two classes. 
They are placed in the sixth category by Janet (1897) when they are 
carried by their hosts ; but they might also be put in the second. The 
first specimen of C. testaceus taken in Britain was captured by Westwood 
in Oxfordshire in 1888, in a nest of A. (CU.) flavus. It was attached to 
a winged ant (g\) on the underside. ‘This, as pointed out by me in 
1909, suggests a possible method of being taken out of the old nest to 
new ones. 
The little blind beetle, Leptinus testaceus, is placed by Janet in the 
first category when lodged in the fur of little mammals to enable it to 
be carried to the nests of species of Bombus. Ruschkamp however 
(1919) who made a careful study of its habits, is doubtful if it should 
be considered a case of Phoresy or Ectoparasitism. 
ANTHEROPHAGUS. 
It may be suggested that the reason why Antherophagi, instead of 
seeking out the nests of Bombi, lie in wait for the bees which come to 
flowers and seize hold of them, thus compelling the latter to carry them 
to their nests, is not so much that they lack the instinct to find the 
