Ant mimicry
Encyclopedia
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
s by other organisms. Ants are abundant all over the world, and insect predators that rely on vision to identify their prey such as birds and wasp
Wasp
The term wasp is typically defined as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a bee nor an ant. Almost every pest insect species has at least one wasp species that preys upon it or parasitizes it, making wasps critically important in natural control of their...
s normally avoid them, either because they are unpalatable, or aggressive. Thus some other arthropod
Arthropod
An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton , a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods are members of the phylum Arthropoda , and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others...
s mimic ants to escape predation (protective mimicry). Conversely, some species (e.g. Zodariidae spiders) use their anatomical and behavioral ant mimicry to hunt ants (aggressive mimicry
Aggressive mimicry
Aggressive mimicry is a form of mimicry where predators, parasites or parasitoids share similar signals with a harmless model, allowing them to avoid being correctly identified by their prey or host...
). Other cases are also known. The term myrmecomorphy is also used to describe ant mimicry.
Spiders
- Araneidae (e.g. MicrathenaMicrathenaThe spider genus Micrathena contains more than hundred species, most of them Neotropical woodland orb-weavers.Only three species occur in the eastern United States: females of M. gracilis have five pairs of conical tubercles on the abdomen, female M. mitrata have two short posterior pairs, and...
) - Corinnidae (e.g. Apochinoma, CastianeiraCastianeiraCastianeira is a genus of spiders present in Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas.Some of its species mimic ants; others prey on them.-References:...
, Myrmecium, Corinna vertebrata, Mazax pax, M. spinosa, MyrmecotypusMyrmecotypusMyrmecotypus is a spider genus that mimics ants. All species occur from Panama to Mexico, with one species found in the USA.M. rettenmeyeri has a strange longitudinal band of black hairs extending along the midline of the cephalothorax. This seems to enhance the resemblance to the ant Camponotus...
, Sphecotypus, Otacilia, Phrurolithus) - DysderidaeDysderidaeThe family Dysderidae are araneomorph spiders found primarily in Eurasia, although extending into North Africa, with very few species occurring in South America, and one introduced into many regions of the world.Dysderids have six eyes, and are haplogyne, i.e...
(HarpacteaHarpacteaHarpactea is a genus of spiders from the family Dysderidae, with more than 150 described species.Harpactea species are non-web building predators that forage on the ground and on tree trunks at night, mainly in xerothermic forests...
hombergi preys on ants, behavioral mimic, not morphological) - Eresidae (Seothyra schreineri males mimic small Camponotus castes)
- Gnaphosidae (e.g. Micaria, CallilepisCallilepisCallilepis is a genus of gnaphosid spiders with about 20 described species. Some are found from Mexico to Canada, others from Europe to India...
nocturna) - ProdidomidaeProdidomidaeThe Prodidomidae are a spider family with about 300 species in 31 genera. They are sometimes called Long-Spinneret Ground Spiders.This family is part of the superfamily Gnaphosoidea. They are easily identified by the greatly elongated base of the piriform gland spigots. At least parts of their body...
(Myandra) - LinyphiidaeLinyphiidaeLinyphiidae is a family of spiders, including more than 4,300 described species in 578 genera worldwide. This makes Linyphiidae the second largest family of spiders after the Salticidae. New species are still being discovered throughout the world, and the family is poorly known...
(Linyphia furtiva, Meioneta beata) - Oonopidae (Diblemma donisthorpei mimics WasmanniaWasmanniaWasmannia is a genus of ants that are social, native to tropical habitats, and haplodiploid, with the reproductive castes haploid, and the worker caste diploid...
auropunctata) - Salticidae (e.g. AgoriusAgoriusAgorius is a genus of the spider family Salticidae .Undescribed species have been found in Malaysia and Sabah. No new species were described for about one hundred years, with two new species found in the early 2000s....
, AugustaeaAugustaeaAugustaea is a genus of jumping spiders. The single described species Augustaea formicaria is only found in Singapore.Szombathy described both sexes of this ant-like species, with both about six millimeters long, and put them close to Agorius. His drawings suggest that A. formicaria might belong to...
, BelippoBelippoBelippo is a genus of jumping spiders.-Species:* Belippo anguina Simon, 1910 — São Tomé* Belippo calcarata — Bioko, Angola, Congo* Belippo cygniformis Wanless, 1978 — Ghana* Belippo ibadan Wanless, 1978 — Nigeria...
, BocusBocusBocus is a genus of jumping spiders with three described species. They occur in the Philippines and Borneo and are indistinguishable from the related genus Myrmarachne without the help of a microscope.-Species:...
, ChalcolectaChalcolectaChalcolecta is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .This genus is close to Diolenius.C. zosterifera and C...
, ConsingisConsingisConsingis is a genus of the spider family Salticidae . The single described species Consingis semicana is found in Brazil and Argentina.-References: : , version 8.0. American Museum of Natural History....
, CorcovetellaCorcovetellaCorcovetella is a genus of the spider family Salticidae . Its only described species, Corcovetella aemulatrix, is found in Brazil.-References: : , version 8.0. American Museum of Natural History.-External links:*...
, CosmophasisCosmophasisCosmophasis is a genus of the spider family Salticidae . Some species occur in Africa, while most are found in Southeast Asia, down to Australia. Although most species more or less mimic ants, there are also colorful species that follow a different strategy.C...
, DepreissiaDepreissiaDepreissia is a genus of the spider family Salticidae .-Species:* Depreissia decipiens Deeleman-Reinhold & Floren, 2003 — Borneo* Depreissia myrmex Lessert, 1942 — Democratic Republic of Congo...
, EburneanaEburneanaEburneana is a genus of the spider family Salticidae .Like several other salticids, this genus mimicks ants.-Description:...
, EnoplomischusEnoplomischusEnoplomischus is a genus of the spider family Salticidae .This genus has a large spike-like process on its pedicel. This structure probably mimics a similar spike present in the anterior part of the abdomen of the Odontomachus ants that these spiders seem to be modeled after.-Species:*...
, JudalanaJudalanaJudalana is a spider genus of the Salticidae family . Its only species, Judalana lutea, is an ant mimic, found only in Queensland.-References: : , version 8.0. American Museum of Natural History....
, KimaKimaKima is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Species:* Kima africana Peckham & Peckham, 1902 — South Africa* Kima atra Wesolowska & Russell-Smith, 2000 — Tanzania* Kima montana Wesolowska & Szeremeta, 2001 — Kenya...
, LeptorchestesLeptorchestesLeptorchestes is a spider genus of the Salticidae family . Like several other genera of salticids, it mimicks ants.-Species:* Leptorchestes algerinus Wesolowska & Szeremeta, 2001 — Algeria* Leptorchestes berolinensis Leptorchestes is a spider genus of the Salticidae family (jumping spiders). Like...
, MartellaMartellaMartella is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Species:* Martella amapa Galiano, 1996 — Brazil* Martella bicavata — Panama* Martella camba — Argentina...
, MarengoMarengoMarengo may refer to:* The Battle of Marengo, in 1800 in northern Italy* French ship Marengo* Chicken Marengo, a food dish* Marengo , a genus of jumping spiders* Marengo , Napoleon's horse...
, MexcalaMexcalaMexcala is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Species:* Mexcala agilis Lawrence, 1928 — Namibia* Mexcala elegans Peckham & Peckham, 1903 — Southern Africa* Mexcala farsensis Logunov, 2001 — Iran...
, MyrmarachneMyrmarachneMyrmarachne is a genus of jumping spiders which imitate an ant by waving their front legs in the air to simulate antennae. Some species also look strikingly like ants....
, ParadamoetasParadamoetasParadamoetas is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Name:The genus name is a combination of Ancient Greek para "alongside" and the salticid genus Damoetas.-Species:...
cara, PeckhamiaPeckhamiaPeckhamia is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Name:The genus is named in honor of George and Elizabeth Peckham, who identified many salticids at the time.-Species:...
picata, PhilatesPhilatesPhilates is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Species:* Philates chelifer * Philates courti * Philates grammicus Simon, 1900...
, SadiesSadiesSadies is a spider genus of the Salticidae family . While the genus was thought to be endemic to the Seychelles, a species from Réunion was described in 2007.-References: : , version 9.5. American Museum of Natural History....
, Sarinda, SynagelesSynagelesSynageles is a genus of antlike jumping spiders with about 20 described species. In the old world, the species is found from Spain to China, with one found in northern Africa Synageles is a genus of antlike jumping spiders (Salticidae) with about 20 described species. In the old world, the species...
, SynagelidesSynagelidesSynagelides is a genus of Asian spiders of the Salticidae family .The genera Agorius and Synagelides are separated as a genus group, sometimes called subfamily Agoriinae Simon, 1901....
, SynemosynaSynemosynaSynemosyna is a genus of ant-like jumping spiders that occurs from Argentina to the northern United States.-Species:* Synemosyna americana — Mexico to Venezuela* Synemosyna ankeli Cutler & Müller, 1991 — Colombia...
, TutelinaTutelinaTutelina is a spider genus of the Salticidae family .-Species:* Tutelina elegans — USA* Tutelina formicaria — USA* Tutelina harti — USA, Canada...
, UgandinellaUgandinellaUgandinella is a spider genus of the Salticidae family . Its single described species is found in Uganda.-Name:The genus name is derived from the type locality. The species name refers to the ant-like appearance....
, UluellaUluellaUluella is a spider genus of the Salticidae family with only one species, the ant-mimic Uluella formosa. It occurs only in Panama....
, Zuniga) - TheridiidaeTheridiidaeTheridiidae is a large family of spiders, also known as the tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders and comb-footed spiders. The diverse family includes over 2200 species in over 100 genera) of three-dimensional space-web-builders found throughout the world...
(e.g. Anatea formicaria, CerocidaCerocidaCerocida is a spider genus known only from tropical South America.Both sexes of C. strigosa have a cephalothorax with posterior stalk and raised reticulate pattern, and long legs. The female has a body length of 1.5mm, while males are even 1.7mm; normally spider males are at least slightly smaller...
strigosa, Coleosoma floridanum (only males), Coleosoma acutiventer, Helvibis brasiliana, H. chilensis, Heleosoma floridanum, Melychiopharis cynipsMelychiopharis cynipsMelychiopharis cynips is an ant-mimicking spider from Brazil.It was briefly transferred from the family Araneidae to Theridiidae between 2002 and 2005, based mainly on characteristics of the male palp.-References:...
, Cerocida strigosa) - Thomisidae (e.g. AmyciaeaAmyciaeaAmyciaea is a genus of crab spiders that mimics ants, their preferred prey.A. albomaculata mimics its weaver ant prey .-Species:* Amyciaea albomaculata * Amyciaea forticeps Amyciaea is a genus of crab spiders that mimics ants, their preferred prey.A. albomaculata mimics its weaver ant prey...
, AphantochilusAphantochilusAphantochilus is a small genus of ant-mimicking crab spiders from Central to South America.The three known species mimic ants of the genus Cephalotes , which are their preferred prey....
, Bucranium, StrophiusStrophiusIn Greek mythology, Strophius, son of Crisus, was a King of Phocis, husband of the sister of Agamemnon and by her father of Pylades and Astydameia. When Orestes was hiding from his murderous mother, Clytemnestra, Strophius hid him...
nigricans) - Zodariidae (e.g. Storena, ZodarionZodarionZodarion is a genus of ant-eating spiders from the Zodariidae family. 116 species from Eurasia and North Africa have been described to date.-Species:* Zodarion abantense Wunderlich, 1980...
)
Some spiders (e.g. Zodariidae or some Myrmarachne
Myrmarachne
Myrmarachne is a genus of jumping spiders which imitate an ant by waving their front legs in the air to simulate antennae. Some species also look strikingly like ants....
) use their ant disguise to hunt ants, although most use their disguise to escape predators. In salticids, the latter can be discerned from the ants from the movements they make in order to keep the ants at an acceptable distance. Ant hunters often do not resemble ants as much.
Myrmarachne assimilis is the only Myrmarachne species that resembles the aggressive weaver ant
Weaver ant
Weaver ants or Green ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae . Weaver ants are obligately arboreal and are known for their unique nest building behaviour where workers construct nests by weaving together leaves using larval silk...
Oecophylla smaragdina
Oecophylla smaragdina
Oecophylla smaragdina is a species of arboreal ant found in Asia and Australia. They make nests in trees made of leaves stitched together using the silk produced by their larvae.Weaver ants may be red or green...
, with which it lives in close contact. Cosmophasis
Cosmophasis
Cosmophasis is a genus of the spider family Salticidae . Some species occur in Africa, while most are found in Southeast Asia, down to Australia. Although most species more or less mimic ants, there are also colorful species that follow a different strategy.C...
bitaeniata uses chemical mimicry
Chemical mimicry
Chemical mimicry is mimicry mediated via chemoreception . Chemical mimicry may be used in combination with mimicry in other sensory modes or by itself. This sort of mimicry is less obvious to humans and thus has not received as much attention from researchers as other forms have...
to be accepted by the same ant species. It is suggested that M. assimilis uses a similar technique. Thus, its ant mimicry is twofold: in visual appearance to trick predators, but also to evade being hunted by the ants themselves.
Several spiders (eg., most Myrmarachne) undergo transformational mimicry: because the spiderlings are too minute to convincingly mimic the much bigger ant species that the adult copies, they use other smaller ant species as a model.
The overall body of spider myrmecomorphs is much narrower than non-mimics, which reduces the number of eggs per eggsac, compared to non-mimetic spiders of similar size. They seem to compensate by laying more eggsacs in their lifetime. Ant-mimics usually use their first or second pair of legs to fake ant antennae, such reducing the number of functional legs to six.
Sometimes, the sexes each mimic a different model. There are also spiders where several morphs occur, each mimicking a different morph of the model ant species, or different ant species. For example, light yellow to brown morphs of Synemosyna aurantiaca mimic Pseudomyrmex
Pseudomyrmex
Pseudomyrmex is a genus of stinging, wasp-like ants in the family Formicidae . They are large eyed, slender ants with an arboreal habitat. They are found exclusively in the New World in tropical and subtropical regions...
flavidulus and P. oculatus, while black morphs mimic P. gracilis and P. sericeus.
In Micrathena
Micrathena
The spider genus Micrathena contains more than hundred species, most of them Neotropical woodland orb-weavers.Only three species occur in the eastern United States: females of M. gracilis have five pairs of conical tubercles on the abdomen, female M. mitrata have two short posterior pairs, and...
, only males and juveniles resemble ants. This may be mimesis rather than mimicry.
Even within a closely related group of taxa ant mimicry might have originated several times independently. This is demonstrated in the Salticidae subfamily Ballinae.
Mites
The phoretic mite Planodiscus attaches itself to the tibia of its host Eciton hamatumEciton hamatum
Eciton hamatum is a species of army ant in the subfamily Ecitoninae, present from Mexico to central Brazil and Bolivia. This species differs from many others in that it does not fan out into the underbrush when foraging. Rather, it forages in columns, often in trees and preying exclusively on the...
. The cuticula sculpturing of the mite's body is nearly identical to that of the ant's leg.
Hemiptera
Among the bugs, the wingless Myrmecoris gracilis looks like an ant and feeds on ant larvae. Pithanus maerkeli is also ant-like. Systellonotus triguttatus, in which nymphs and females strongly resemble ants, is often found in the vicinity of ants. Dulichius inflatusDulichius inflatus
Dulichius inflatus is an ant mimic bug in the family Alydidae that is found mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka. It is said to live in the nests of ants Polyrhachis lacteipennis which it morphologically resembles....
(Alydidae
Alydidae
Alydidae, commonly known as broad-headed bugs, is a family of true bugs very similar to the closely related Coreidae . There are about 40 genera with 250 species altogether...
) closely resembles ants of the genus Polyrhachis
Polyrhachis
Polyrhachis is a genus of formicine ants found in the Old World with a large number of species . The genus is yet to be comprehensively resolved and contains many varied species including nest weavers , swimming workers , soil and tree dwellers Polyrhachis is a genus of formicine ants found in the...
.
Pithanus maerkeli roughly resembles an ant, as does the lively Pilophorus perplexus.
The nymph of Himacerus mirmicoides
Himacerus mirmicoides
Himacerus mirmicoides is a species of damsel bugs belonging to the family Nabidae, subfamily Nabinae.The name “mirmicoides” comes from the similarity of nymphs in the early instars to ants.It is found in most Europe.-References:...
looks like an ant.
Thrips
FranklinothripsFranklinothrips
Franklinothrips is a genus of thrips with pantropical distribution.-Name:The genus name is derived from the surname of entomologist H. J. Franklin, who described thrips taxa in the early 1900s. The thrips genus Frankliniella is also named after him...
is a genus of thrips
Thrips
Thrips are tiny, slender insects with fringed wings . Other common names for thrips include thunderflies, thunderbugs, storm flies, thunderblights, and corn lice...
that is predatory. Especially the females mimic ants in appearance and behavior. Ant mimicry also occurs in other genera of Aeolothripidae
Aeolothripidae
The Aeolothripidae are a family of thrips. They are particularly common in the holarctic region, although several occur in the drier parts of the subtropics, including dozens in Australia. Adults and larvae are usually found in flowers, but they pupate on the ground...
, where it has arisen independently, for example Aeolothrips albicinctus in Europe and A. bicolor in North America, the Australian species Desmothrips reedi, Allelothrips with seven species from Africa and India, Stomatothrips with eight species from the Americas. This kind of mimicry probably evolved as a response to the presence of ants.
Phasmids
Extatosoma tiaratum
Extatosoma tiaratum is a large species of stick insect endemic to Australia.The species has the Phasmid Study Group number PSG9.-Range:...
, while resembling dried thorny leaves as an adult, hatches from the egg as a replica of a Leptomyrmex
Leptomyrmex
Leptomyrmex is a genus of ants. According to the latest taxonomic revision, there are 27 extant and one fossil species . For a complete list of species and full references, see here...
ant, with a red head and black body. The long end is curled to make the body shape appear ant-like, and the movement is erratic, while the adults move differently, if at all. In some species the eggs resemble plant seeds, complete with a mimic elaiosome
Elaiosome
Elaiosomes are fleshy structures that are attached to the seeds of many plant species. The elaiosome is rich in lipids and proteins, and may be variously shaped. Many plants have elaiosomes to attract ants, which take the seed to their nest and feed the elaiosome to their larvae...
(called a "capitulum
Capitulum
The term Capitulum can refer to several things:*In botany, a type of flower head where the bracts are located under the basis, such as a daisy's*Also in botany, the top of a Sphagnum moss plant with compact clusters of young branches....
") as in plants that are associated with ants in myrmecochory
Myrmecochory
Myrmecochory is seed dispersal by ants, an ecologically significant ant-plant interaction with worldwide distribution. Myrmecochorous plants produce seeds with elaiosomes, a term encompassing various external appendages or "food bodies" rich in lipids, amino acid, or other nutrients that are...
. These eggs are collected by the ants and taken to their nests. The capitulum is removed and eaten and the eggs continue to be viable.
Mantids
While praying mantidsMantidae
Mantidae is the largest family of the order Mantodea, commonly known as praying mantises; most are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family in the order, and many references still use the term "mantid" to refer to any mantis. Technically, however, "mantid" refers only to...
are carnivorous insects, they also are in danger of being eaten by larger animals. The nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
s of the Ghost mantis, Phyllocrania paradoxa, looks like a black ant to repel predators. In later instars, it gets a brownish color and looks like a leaf. Mantids of the genus Creobroter
Creobroter
Creobroter or Flower Mantises is a genus of mantis concentrated in Western Asia. The name comes from the Greek "kreas" Creobroter or Flower Mantises is a genus of mantis concentrated in Western Asia. The name comes from the Greek "kreas" Creobroter or Flower Mantises is a genus of mantis...
use ant mimicry when young as well.
Diptera
There are several fly species that look like an ant.At least one species from the little studied Richardiidae
Richardiidae
Richardiidae is a family of Diptera in the superfamily Tephritoidea.This is a small family that consists of 30 genera and 175 species. Almost all species are Neotropical. Generally the biology of Richardiidae is little known. Some of the larvae are plant feeders or saprophages in decaying plant...
genus Sepsisoma mimic ants, particularly the formicine
Formicinae
Formicinae is a subfamily within the Formicidae containing ants of moderate evolutionary development.Formicines retain some primitive features such as the presence of cocoons around pupae, the presence of ocelli in workers, and little tendency toward reduction of palp or antennal segmentation in...
ant Camponotus crassus.
Several species of Micropezidae
Micropezidae
The Micropezidae are a moderate-sized family of acalyptrate muscoid flies in the insect order Diptera, comprising about 500 species in about 50 genera and 5 subfamilies worldwide,...
(stilt-legged flies) resemble ants (especially the wingless, haltere-less Badisis ambulans
Badisis ambulans
Badisis is a stilt-legged fly genus with only one known species, Badisis ambulans. This is a wingless, haltere-less fly with an ant-like appearance. It is only found in the Southwest Australian bioregion of Western Australia...
), as do species in the genus Strongylophthalmyia and Syringogaster
Syringogaster
Syringogaster is a genus of small ant-like flies with a petiolate abdomen, a long prothorax, a swollen and spiny hind femur, and reduced head size and large eyes. There are 20 living species in a single genus Syringogaster, There are 2 species know from Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic...
.
Beetles
Army Ants
Army Ants are a discontinued fantasy toy soldier line from Hasbro in much the same venue as the M.U.S.C.L.E. and Monster in My Pocket lines. It featured an army of humanoid ants....
strikingly resemble their hosts. An outstanding example is Ecitomorpha nevermanni, whose color varies to match the color variation of its host Eciton burchellii
Eciton burchellii
Eciton burchellii is the predominant species of the genus Eciton and a type of New World army ant. Distinct in its expansive, highly organized swarm raids, it is often considered the archetypal species of "army ant" — so much that the term has become its common name — and remains one of...
. Since Eciton
Eciton
The New World army ant genus Eciton contains the most familiar species of army ants. The most predominant and well-known species is Eciton burchellii, whose common name is "army ant" and which is considered to be the archetypal species....
army ants have poor vision, this is probably an example of Batesian mimicry to escape predation by vertebrates.
The Anthicidae are also ant-like in appearance.
Members of the cerambycid genus Euderces
Euderces
Euderces is a genus of cerambycid beetles.Many members of this New World genus are ant mimics. E. velutinus is a tropical species closely resembling the common ant species Camponotus sericeiventris...
are ant mimics. E. velutinus mimics Camponotus sericeiventris. Several other cerambycids also resemble ants. The Central American Mallocera spinicollis Bates, 1872, Neoclytus and Diphyrama singularis Bates, 1872 all closely resemble stinging ants. Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885 closely resembles Crematogaster scutellaris in size and coloration and leaves in close vicinity to it. In North America certain Anthoboscus, Cyrtophorus and Tillomorpha are ant mimics. Cyrtinus pygmaeus resembles Lasius niger americanus, and Michthisoma heterodoxum mimics small workers of Camponotus pennsylvanicus.
The ant beetle Thanasimus formicarius
Thanasimus formicarius
The ant beetle is a species of the genus Thanasimus in the Cleroidea superfamily. It grows up to 10 mm long. They come in all different colors and often have a nasty bite....
(Cleridae
Cleridae
Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The Cleridae family has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences....
) mimics ants of the genus Formica
Formica
Formica is a genus of ants of the family Formicidae, commonly known as wood ants, mound ants, or field ants. Formica is the type genus of the Formicidae, and of the subfamily Formicinae...
.
Coatonachthodes ovambolandicus
Coatonachthodes ovambolandicus
Coatonachthodes ovambolandicus is a termite-mimicking beetle which lives as a parasite in their nests. It looks roughly like a termite from above, though its legs look like "twisted balloons" rather than real insect legs. This less than accurate emulation can be explained by looking at the beetle...
is a termite
Termite
Termites are a group of eusocial insects that, until recently, were classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera , but are now accepted as the epifamily Termitoidae, of the cockroach order Blattodea...
-mimicking beetle which lives as a parasite in their nests.
Collemboles
Several species of springtailSpringtail
Springtails form the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects...
s look like ants, with white lines acting as pseudo-incisions.