Myrmecophily in Staphylinidae

Many species of Staphylinidae (commonly known as "rove beetles") have developed complex interspecies relationships with ants, known as myrmecophily.

Many of these, including species in tribe Clavigerini, are myrmecophagous, placating their hosts with glandular secretions while eating the brood.

The majority of studied myrmecophilous rove beetles belong to the subfamily Aleocharinae, including the commonly studied genera Pella, Dinarda, Tetradonia, Ecitomorpha, Ecitophya, Atemeles, and Lomechusa, and to the subfamily Pselaphinae, which includes Claviger and Adranes.

Pselephines have evolved trichomes independently at least four times, most notably in all members of Clavigerini, but also in Attapsenius and Songius genera.

[5] At least two members of Pella, P. funestus and P. humeralis, produce several of their host ant's alarm pheromones to avoid aggression.

[6] Other species, like members of Myrmechusa, Aenictonia, and Anommatochara, prey on raiding columns or on the nests of driver ants (Dorylus).

There are few staphylinid neutral synoeketes, but some are found in the genus Athetini, which live in the debris and fungal chambers of leaf cutter ants (Atta).

[9] Syneoketes generally live on or inside of ant nests, where they feed on refuse and may steal food from their hosts.

There is some overlap between synoeketes and other categories, especially in loricate species and synecthrans, and symphiloids and symphiles, where the behavior of “true guests” may be difficult to determine.

The most extreme adaptations, found in members of tribe Clavigerini, include the reduction of mouthparts for trophallaxis and the fusing of many body and antennal segments.

[10] Symphiles typically take on many roles in the colony, raising young, feeding and grooming adults, and helping transport food and larvae.

Pella species produce two compounds found in their host ant Lasius fuliginosus, undecane and sulcatone, which elicit aggressive and panic reactions respectively.