Behavior and exocrine glands in the myrmecophilous beetle Lomechusoides strumosus (Fabricius, 1775) (formerly called Lomechusa strumosa) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)
Fig 28
Trophallaxis between Lomechusoides strumosus and host ant Formica sanguinea.
Often the ant approaches the beetle and licks its head (a). The beetle seeks contact with the ant’s labium (b, c). This usually leads to regurgitation of food by the ant. During the trophallactic act shown in (d), the ant’s mandibles are closed, but the labium is extended. This somewhat resembles the feeding behavior which ants exhibit during larval feeding.