Not only may ants of two or more kinds be associated together in the
same dwelling, but a nest may also be tenanted by peculiar species of
beetles (and other insects), spiders, mites, or other creatures. Many of
these, especially the beetles, are fed and cared for by the ants, some
of them for the sake of a substance which exudes from their bodies;
others, perhaps, to serve as pets. The beetle-grubs are looked after as
well as the adults; at least in the case of certain blind species.
On the other hand, certain ant-beetles not only steal food from the
ants, but also devour their young. There can be no doubt that these
curious associations are very ancient ones, for many species of beetles
are found nowhere else. A kind of bristle-tail that lives in ants’ nests
is a thief pure and simple. It has been seen to steal the drops of honey
being passed from the mouth of one worker to another, afterwards
retreating at full speed.
The common red ant (_Myrmica rubra_) shelters and feeds a curious kind
of blind mite, which lives on the bodies of its hosts. By stroking its
entertainers with its legs it makes known its need of nutriment, and
such requests are never refused. Not impossibly some return may be made
for these good offices.
One of the Indian ants (_Sima rufo-nigra_) lives on the bark of trees
with a species of wasp (_Rhinopsis ruficornis_) and a kind of spider
(_Salticus_), both of which closely resemble it in appearance. The three
associates appear to be good friends, while wasp and ant sometimes
engage in a friendly wrestle.
[Illustration: =AN ANT AT ITS MORNING TOILET=
A remarkable observation made by a student of insect life while
examining ants under the microscope.]