THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 187 
MYRMECOPHILOUS INSECTS. 
By HE. H. Zeck. 
When reading through a list of insects recorded from 
ants’ nests in New South Wales, one is surprised at the 
number of families represented, and the numerous species 
that have been found in these situations. Below will be 
found notes on species taken in the neighbourhood of Syd- 
ney. Before giving them, it may be of help to those who 
perhaps have not previously collected ants’ nest insects 
to give a few hints on their collection and preservation. 
The only nests examined by me so far have been those 
situated under stones or bark. Probably many good speci- 
mens may be obtained from nests in the open. 
Usually, when first collecting, many species of beetles, 
are passed over, owing to their protective colouration and 
their remaining quiet for several minutes before moving, 
the members of the Genus Chlamydopsis being perhaps 
the most difficult to detect—in fact, they may even be 
turned over among the debris without showing a sign of 
life. The legs, antennae, and head are all withdrawn into 
cavities in the body. 
Small mites are frequently mistaken for iPasboneanttn (a 
minute oval beetle), but one can easily tell the difference 
in the nest, even without a lens, by their different mode 
of walking. 
After examining a nest the stone should always be: 
replaced, so as to permit of re-examination at some future 
time. 
The insects when caught are best placed “in small 
tubes of methylated spirit, along with some of the ants in 
whose nest they were found. A dry grass stem, dipped 
in spirit, is excellent for picking them up. later they 
are gummed on small cards, with the legs and antennae 
carefully spread out. and one or more of the ants should 
be placed on the same card, through which a pin is run. 
A small locality and date label is placed below the card. 
The gum must be used very sparingly. 
The following are notes on species taken in the neigh- 
bourhood of Sydney. I am indebted to Messrs. A. M. Lea 
and W, Du Boulay for the identification of these beetles, 
and to Mr. T. McCarthy for the identification of the ants. 
