Ant nest beetles have the amazing ability to trick ants into accepting them into
their nest where they are well looked after by their unknowing hosts. For thanks,
the beetle consumes the eggs, larvae or adult ants. The beetle does not visually
appear anything like an ant, instead it uses chemical, vibrational and auditory
(via stridulatory apparatus) signalling that fools the ants into allowing it in
- the real Trojan Horse of the beetle world. These beetles also have bombardier
abilities whereby they can create a rapid explosive expulsion of hot searing
chemical for defence (see photos).
