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BugGuide Gathering
Smoky Mountains
University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
 
Photos from the gathering
 
Photos from the 2007 gathering in Minnesota

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myrmecophile, myrmecophilous, myrmecophily

Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
No Taxon (Glossary --use Taxonomy, then Info tabs to view entries)
No Taxon (M)
No Taxon myrmecophile, myrmecophilous, myrmecophily
Identification
Lepidoptera - Lycaenidae
Coleoptera - examples from many groups, such as scarabs (example--Cremastocheilus), Staphylinids (example--Adranes)
Orthoptera--Ant crickets, Myrmecophilidae
Diptera
Others...
Quoting the summary from Wikipedia:
Myrmecophiles may have various roles in their host ant colony. Many consume waste materials in the nests, such as dead ants, dead larvae, or fungi growing in the nest. Some myrmecophiles, however, feed on the stored food supplies of ants, and a few are predatory on ant eggs, larvae, or pupae. Others benefit the ants by providing a food source for them. Many myrmecophilous relationships are obligate, meaning one or the other participant requires the relationship for survival. Some associations are facultative, benefiting one or both participants but not being necessary to their survival.

Some photos of myrmecophilous species:
Internet References
Wiktionary--myrmecophile
Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site--Lycaenidae