Open AccessTHE LARVAL HABITS OF TWO SPECIES OF SPHALLOMORPHA WEST WOOD (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE, PSEUDOMORPHINAE)
Author(s) -
Moore B. P.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1974.tb02171.x
Subject(s) - biology , larva , predation , zoology , ecology , hymenoptera
Adults of Sphallomorpha colymbetoides (Westwood) and of S. nitiduloides Guérin have been reared from larvae found living in burrows beside nests of the ant, Iridomyrmex purpureus (F. Smith). These larvae capture passing ants and kill them, possibly by application of a venom from their maxillary glands; they then feed upon the juices of the prey. The morphology and habits of the larvae are described and discussed.