Ant nest beetle Ant nest beetle Ant nest beetles (subfamily Paussinae) or paussines, some members of which are known also as flanged bombardier beetles, are a large subfamily within the ground beetles (Carabidae). The tribes Metriini, Ozaenini, Paussini and Protopaussini are included in the subfamily. Rarely seen, most Paussinae are obligate or facultative myrmecophiles, living within the nests of ants, predatory on ant larvae and workers. Many have elaborate antennal structures and body parts flattened. Paussines are moderate sized (6–20 mm), characterised by glandular hairs that produce secretions attractive to ants and by the odd antennal structures of many species. Their pygidial glands
Erratic ant nest structure to concentrate solar heat onto the ants' brood. Nuptial flights take place in June, although they may be postponed during colder years to July. Erratic ant The erratic ant ("Tapinoma erraticum") is a species of dolichoderine ant first described in 1789 by Latreille. This species ranges throughout Central Europe from the mountains of south Italy to north Germany. It is present in coastal areas of Southern England and on the islands of Gotland and Öland in Sweden. A thermophilic species, "T. erraticum" is found principally on dry heathland, exposed to the sun. The workers are very agile, and