Marvels of the Universe 779 
specks in the nests as they 
move very slowly about. 
Some of the most interest- 
ing species belong to a 
family which are called 
“ Antenne bearers,’ because 
the first pair of the Mite’s 
legs are long and are waved 
about in front and look like 
antenne. We _ possess all 
the four known European 
species, each of which has 
a different kind of ant for 
its host. These Mites are 
always attached to the 
A Mite that is often found fixed bodies of their hosts. In The “rider” Mite, which jumps on and 
on the grub of the ants. : . - off its host as it runs along. 
the species which is found 
on the jet black ant, the Mite is always on the head of its host. It is nearly as large as the ant’s 
head, and its favourite position is under the chin. When it wishes to be fed it scrapes the ant’s 
mouth with its front feet and the ant lets out a drop of liquid which the Mite sucks up. They can 
hold on very tight, having suckers to their feet, and the ant is unable to get rid of them. When 
an ant rubs the chin on the ground, the Mite runs round to the back of its head. It is 
curious that the other ants never try to rid each other of these parasites. When an ant is 
feeding at some honey, and has a Mite on its chin, the latter gets to one side of the ant’s head to 
allow it to feed. When two ants feed each other, if one has a Miteon it, the Mite leans forward 
and shares the meal. In the species which is found on one of the larger yellow ants, the Mites 
are frequently to be found on the body of the ant. Sometimes one ant will have as many as 
three or more Mites on it at once. 
The ant looks a very curious object with two Mites,one on each side of the body, and one or 
more on the head, either on each side, as shown in one of our photographs, or on the top of the 
head and under the chin. The Mite is often fed by other ants besides the one on which it may 
be. They solicit another ant for food with the front feet, and are then fed by it from its mouth. 
Several other kinds of 
Mites occur on the bodies of 
their hosts. One is called 
: the ‘‘rider,’ because it 
jumps quickly on and off 
the ant as it is running 
along. Another very small 
allied species lives amongst 
the egg-masses of the ants. 
It does not feed on them, 
but is fed by the ants licking 
their eggs, which they do 
frequently. Another species 
fastens itself by its teeth to 
the comb-like spur on the 
Photos bu) [H. St. J. Donisthorpe, F.Z.S., FES. 
ant’s front legs. A round, 
> 
A Mite that lives among the egg- Mite which acts as scavenger in the 
scale-like Mite is often found 
masses of the ants. ants’ nest. 
56 
