Lomechusa pubicollis

Lomechusa pubicollis
Adult
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Staphylinidae
Genus: Lomechusa
Species:
L. pubicollis
Binomial name
Lomechusa pubicollis
Synonyms[1]
  • Atemeles pubicollis Brisout

Lomechusa pubicollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is unusual in that its larvae develop in the nests of one species of ant and the immature adults overwinter in the nest of another species of ant. These beetles are highly specialised myrmecophiles, tricking the ants into caring for them, and one of about 125 species of invertebrates that rely on spending part of their lives in and around the nests of red wood ants.[2]

  1. ^ "Lomechusa pubicollis Brisout de Barneville, 1860". NBN Gateway. Natural History Museum. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  2. ^ Parmentier, T.; Dekoninck, W.; Wenseleers, T. (2014). "A highly diverse microcosm in a hostile world: a review on the associates of red wood ants (Formica rufa group)" (PDF). Insectes Sociaux. 61 (3). International Union for the Study of Social Insects: 229–237. doi:10.1007/s00040-014-0357-3.