416 Parasitic Beetles. 



fuliginosa, at Mickleham), has recently been detected on the 

 continent, living in the nests of one of the larger white-tailed 

 humble-bees (probably Bombus terrestris). Herr Eichhoff, who 

 records this occurrence, states that there were but two or three 

 nests in which he did not find the beetle, out of thirty that he 

 examined, and that some contained twenty or thirty specimens 

 each ; there can, therefore, be little doubt that the true resi- 

 dence of this interesting Acaroid little creature has been now 

 discovered. Other beetles, also occurring (though compara- 

 tively rarely) in this country, have been observed on the conti- 

 nent to be parasites upon humble-bees, such as Gryptophagus 

 setulosus (in great plenty) and 0. pubescens, Antherophagus 

 nigricomis, silaceus, and pattens. 



Nor are the dwellings of the allied genus Vespa without 

 their illegitimate tenants. The hornet (V. Crabro) fosters (oris 

 compelled to tolerate, whichever be the true interpretation) 

 Quedius dilatatus, as above-mentioned ; and the common wasp 

 (V. vulgaris), apart from Cryptophagus pubescens (which has 

 been observed on the continent to be more abundant with it 

 than with the humble-bees) and, occasionally, Onthopkilus (one 

 of the true Coprophagous Histeridce), lodges in its structures a 

 most curious beetle, BhipipAorus paradoxus, one of the Mordel- 

 lidce, in which the body is broadest and convex on the upper 

 side, but shelves down to a mere ridge beneath, and a certain 

 degradation in the development of the parts of the mouth 

 commences. This insect undergoes its transformations in the 

 cells of the nests, the larger larvse (from which the females are 

 produced) being found with, and feeding on, the female wasp 

 grubs. The perfect insect, which is also sometimes found in 

 the nests, varies considerably in the two sexes, the female being 

 the largest and usually having blue-black elytra, which are of 

 imperfect development, being attenuated and gaping, so 

 as to allow the wings to be seen. In the male the elytra are 

 reddish testaceous, and the antenme have the third and follow- 

 ing joints divided into double fan-like rays. It will be remarked 

 that the parasitic habits of this insect, as in Melde and Sitaris 

 above-mentioned, are accompanied by a lessening of the usual 

 development of certain parts of the body. Our countryman 

 Mr. S. Stone has accurately observed the economy of these 

 jDarasites on the Hymenoptera. 



Lastly remain to be noticed the most interesting of all the 

 alliances of the Goleoptera, viz., those with the ants. So 

 numerous and constant are these alliances that the epithet 

 " Hfijnnecophila " has been coined to express the beetles that 

 contract them; and they have formed objects of study to 

 eminent entomologists in all European countries, Aube, Chcv- 

 rolat, Grimm, Janson, Kiesenwetter, Mcerkel, Manncrkeiin, 



