Attaphila aptera

There are nine species of myrmecophiles in the genus Attaphila.

Diagnosis
Male: Well characterised by several features unique in Attaphila: the specialisation on T1 involving moderately long bristles (msp1), the bristle distribution on T6,7 with numerous bristles on the surface but none along the posterior border, and the specially shaped virga (with a moderate sinusoidal curvature). Female: Surface bristles of T2–5 dispersed, of T6 numerous, relatively long and strong. Unique among Attaphila species by presence of a lateral gonangulum sclerite (unknown for A. sexdentis). From A. bergi distinguished by S7 having a median gap in the transversal ridge. A. sexdentis also has numerous, but smaller bristles on T6 and a differently shaped S7.

Distribution
Colombia, Panama, Suriname

Biology
While the Orthoptera, as a rule, are large or medium-sized insects, both Myrmecophila and Attaphila are so far below even the average stature of insects of this order that we must conclude either that they have become reduced in size secondarily in adaptation to their present habitat and companionship, or that they were originally diminutive species, and, for that very reason, better able to enter into symbiotic relationship with the ants. The latter alternative seems to be the more probable

Ant host: Acromyrmex octospinosus, Acromyrmex echinatior