Habroloma myrmecophila
There is a single myrmecophilous species in this genus of Buprestidae. After mating, adult beetles were found to invade damaged or newly constructed Oecophylla nests to lay eggs. Larvae mine in the leaves forming the nest wall and pupate within the mines. Only adult beetles interact directly with ants, potentially triggering their necrophoric behaviour when caught.
Habroloma myrmecophila | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Beetle |
Suborder: | Polyphaga |
Family: | Buprestidae |
Genus: | Habroloma |
Species: | H. myrmecophila |
Binomial name | |
Habroloma myrmecophila Bily, Fikacek, Siped, 2008 |
Diagnosis
Description
Distribution
India
Biology
After mating, adult beetles were found to invade damaged or newly constructed Oecophylla nests to lay eggs. Larvae mine in the leaves forming the nest wall and pupate within the mines. Only adult beetles interact directly with ants, potentially triggering their necrophoric behaviour when caught.
REFERENCES
- Bílý, Svatopluk & Fikacek, Martin & Šípek, Petr. (2008). First record of myrmecophily in buprestid beetles: Immature stages of Habroloma myrmecophila sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) associated with Oecophylla ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution. 39. 121-131. 10.1163/187631208788784084.