Interactional behaviors of the parasitic beetle Paussus favieri with its ant host Pheidole pallidula: the mimetic role of the acoustical signals.

The social parasitic beetle Paussus favieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini) performs different types of stridulations, which selectively mimic those emitted by different ant castes of its host Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae). However, the significance of this acoustical mimicry for the success of the parasitic strategy and the behaviors elicited in the host ants by stridulations was unknown. We reared Paussus favieri in Pheidole pallidula colonies and filmed their interacting behaviors.

Antennal fine morphology of the threatened beetle Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), revealed by scanning electron microscopy.

The aim of this study was to characterize the antennal morphology of Osmoderma eremita, a threatened scarab beetle inhabiting tree hollows. O. eremita males produce a sex pheromone, (R)-(+)-γ-decalactone, responsible mainly for the attraction of females but also other males.

The Pied Piper: A Parasitic Beetle's Melodies Modulate Ant Behaviours.

Ants use various communication channels to regulate their social organisation. The main channel that drives almost all the ants' activities and behaviours is the chemical one, but it is long acknowledged that the acoustic channel also plays an important role. However, very little is known regarding exploitation of the acoustical channel by myrmecophile parasites to infiltrate the ant society.

Environmental tuning of an insect ensemble: the tenebrionid beetles inhabiting a Mediterranean coastal dune zonation.

Few studies have investigated insect ensembles, i.e. phylogenetically bounded groups of species that use a similar set of resources within a community.

Functional structure of antennal sensilla in the myrmecophilous beetle Paussus favieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini).

The evolution of a myrmecophilous lifestyle in beetles is often associated with morphological alterations. In particular, the antennae of all members of the myrmecophilous ground beetle tribe Paussini are greatly modified, with flagellomeres flattened or crassate, frequently reduced in number from 9 to 5 or even 1 single "antennal club". The enhanced glandular function of the antennal club has been recently described by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy in Paussus favieri Fairmaire, 1851, where the antenna has become a complex glandular organ, supplying rewarding substances to the ants.