psiliid

Psiliids are a family of beetles belonging to the order Coleoptera. They are characterized by their distinctive, elongated bodies and unique feeding habits. The family Psiliidae includes about 100 species, with the majority found in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in Australia. Psiliids are often referred to as "wireworms" due to their slender, cylindrical shape and the presence of a wire-like structure on their abdomen, which is used for defense and communication.

The larvae of psiliids are known for their unusual feeding behavior. They are obligate myrmecophiles, meaning they live in close association with ants and feed on their larvae. This symbiotic relationship is mutualistic, as the ants provide a safe habitat and food for the psiliid larvae, while the psiliids help control ant populations by feeding on their larvae.

Psiliids are of interest to entomologists and ecologists due to their unique biology and the complex interactions they have with their ant hosts. They are also studied for their potential use in biological control, as their ability to feed on ant larvae could be harnessed to manage pest ant populations. Despite their ecological importance, psiliids are not well-studied, and much remains to be discovered about their life cycles, behaviors, and interactions with their ant hosts.