Novel-behavior
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Phyllobaenus
checkered beetles
Phyllobaenus is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, comprising at least 60 described species. The genus is notable for containing the first documented case of beetle parasitoidism of ants, with P. obscurus developing inside intact cocoons of Ectatomma ruidum species complex. Most clerid beetles are predatory, making this parasitoid habit a significant departure from typical family adaptations. Members of this genus exhibit diverse ecological relationships, including associations with wood-boring beetles, solitary bees and wasps, and plant-ant mutualisms.