Ant-associated
Guides
Myrmechixenus lathridioides
Myrmechixenus lathridioides is a small beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Crotch in 1873. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'ant guest,' indicating an association with ant colonies. It belongs to the subfamily Lagriinae, a group of darkling beetles with diverse ecological habits. The species epithet references a superficial resemblance to beetles in the family Lathridiidae (plaster beetles).
Myrmecocephalus
Myrmecocephalus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Falagriini. The genus contains approximately 115 recognized species as of 2026 and has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with ant colonies, reflecting their myrmecophilous lifestyle implied by the genus name.
Myrmedonota aidani
Myrmedonota aidani is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, described in 2008. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological details for this species remain undocumented. The species is known from limited collection records in eastern North America.
Myrmedonota lewisi
Myrmedonota lewisi is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Maruyama & Klimaszewski in 2008. The species is known from Indiana, USA. It belongs to the tribe Lomechusini, a group noted for ant-associated behaviors. Members of the genus Myrmedonota are recognized for their ecological relationships with ants, including predation on ants attracted by alarm pheromones.
Myrmobiota
Myrmobiota is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Oxypodini, established by Casey in 1893. Species in this genus are associated with ant colonies, exhibiting myrmecophilous habits. The genus is part of the hyperdiverse subfamily Aleocharinae, one of the largest radiations within beetles.
Neoneurus
Neoneurus is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, tribe Neoneurini. These wasps are specialized ant parasitoids, with females attacking adult ant workers in flight to deposit their eggs. The genus includes species such as Neoneurus vesculus, which has been filmed ovipositing into Formica cunicularia workers. Neoneurus species are among the few parasitoids capable of overcoming ant defenses, representing a highly specialized ecological adaptation.
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floridana
Obeza floridana is a parasitoid wasp in the family Eucharitidae. It is known specifically from Florida, where it parasitizes the ant Camponotus abdominalis floridanus. The species was first described by Ashmead in 1888 and was originally placed in the genus Lophyrocera. Eucharitid wasps are specialized ant parasitoids that typically attack mature ant larvae or pupae within host colonies.
Oropus
Oropus is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, tribe Trogastrini. It was described by Casey in 1886. Members of this genus are small, myrmecophilous beetles typically associated with ant colonies. The genus is part of the diverse Pselaphinae radiation, which contains thousands of species specialized for life in leaf litter, soil, and ant nests.
Pella schmitti
Pella schmitti is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Lomechusini. It was described by Hamilton in 1895. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records from Canada (Ontario and Quebec) and the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania). Like other members of the genus Pella, it is likely associated with ant colonies, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Platyarthrus
Platyarthrus is a genus of small, blind woodlice comprising over 30 described species. Members are obligate myrmecophiles, living almost exclusively within ant nests. The genus exhibits female-biased sex ratios in small populations. Body size in at least some species is dependent on host ant species.
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii
Ant Woodlouse
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii is a small, white, ant-associated woodlouse that lives exclusively in ant nests, particularly those of Lasius flavus, Lasius niger, and Myrmica species. It feeds on ant droppings and mildew within these colonies. The species is considered blind, likely an adaptation to its dark subterranean habitat. Its distribution closely tracks that of its host ants across Europe, North Africa, Turkey, and introduced populations in Australia and North America.
Polyxenidae
pincushion millipedes, bristly millipedes
Polyxenidae is a family of small millipedes in the subclass Penicillata, characterized by distinctive bundles of bristles (setae) at the posterior end. Adults range from 1.2–4.2 mm in length and possess 13 pairs of legs with 10 tergites anterior to the telson. The family contains approximately 109 species across 23 genera, distributed worldwide except Antarctica. Males produce spermatophores delivered via specialized pores on leg pairs 6–11.
Pselaphus bellax
Pselaphus bellax is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The species was described by Thomas Casey in 1893 and is distributed across much of Canada and the northern United States. Like other pselaphines, it is believed to be associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Records are sparse, with few observations in citizen science databases.
Pselaptrichus
Pselaptrichus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, described by Brendel in 1889. The genus contains more than 30 described species. These beetles belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles characterized by their ecological associations with ants and other social insects.
Pseudochalcura gibbosa
Pseudochalcura gibbosa is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Eucharitidae, first described by Provancher in 1881. It belongs to a family of wasps known for their highly specialized parasitism of ants. The species has been recorded across multiple provinces in Canada, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Pycnoplectus
Pycnoplectus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae. The genus comprises approximately 11 described species, first established by Casey in 1897. These beetles are classified within the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small, often cryptic beetles frequently associated with ant colonies. Most species were described in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, with several originally placed in other genera before transfer to Pycnoplectus.
Sceptobius schmitti
Sceptobius schmitti is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Sceptobiini. The genus Sceptobius is known for its myrmecophilous associations—species live in ant colonies. This species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Tmesiphorus
Tmesiphorus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae. The genus was established by LeConte in 1849 and currently contains approximately ten described species distributed across North America and Asia. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small beetles often associated with social insects.
Tyrus
Tyrus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Aubé in 1833. These small rove beetles are myrmecophiles, living in association with ant colonies. The genus is primarily recorded from northern Europe, with documented occurrences in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Ulkeus intricatus
clown beetle
Ulkeus intricatus is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) found in North America. It belongs to the subfamily Haeteriinae, a group known for associations with ants. This species has been documented in association with legionary ants in the genus Neivamyrmex. The genus Ulkeus contains six recognized species in the United States, five of which remain undescribed.
Valda
Valda is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. These beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and belongs to the tribe Valdini, which is named after it. Members are small, typically cryptic beetles found in leaf litter and soil habitats.
Xenodusa montana
Xenodusa montana is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. It is a myrmecophilous species, meaning it lives in association with ants. The species is known from western North America.