Cremastocheilus

The beetle genus Cremastocheilus is a myrmecophiloous cetoniine scarab endemic to North America. The adults are known to feed on ant brood while the beetle larvae are found feeding on organic detritus found within the ant host nest. Adult beetles disperse from the ant nest to mate and re-enter host ant nests to feed and lay eggs. Adult Cremastocheilus have trichomes and associated glands at the posterior corners of the pronotum and on the head. The role of the glandular secretions and trichome hairs have not been clearly defined. There are about thirty-five species in the genus and each beetle species has a preferred host ant genus and species.