Iberomyrmex 13 (2024)

Two new records for this species are presented. Its Ibero-Balearic distribution and the available dates of the presence of winged queens and a male, between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, are updated.

This study reports a rare case of unilateral ocular duplication with hypoplasia in the ant Pheidole pallidula (Nylander, 1849), discovered in Córdoba, Spain. The affected soldier ant exhibited two malformed right V[…] i>V Ã[…] and with fewer ommatidia compared to a normal eye. Although visual defects might hinder depth perception and light sensitivity, P. pallidula likely compensates them with other sensory modalities, allowing its complete functional integration into the colony. Potential causes, including genetic mutations, embryonic errors, or environmental stressors, are discussed. This case highlights the adaptive plasticity of eusocial insects in tolerating physical abnormalities and underscores the importance of further studies to explore their ecological and developmental implications.

Ant-loving crickets are kleptoparasites living in ant nests. This work aims to sum up the current knowledge on the known distribution and host ant preferences of three Myrmecophilus crickets found in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands: M. ochraceus, M. fuscus and M. acervorum. Older literature was carefully reviewed, while recent literature, particularly after the description of M. fuscus, was prioritized to minimize the use of outdated information and reduce the risk of misidentifications. The study underscores the need for re-identification of old specimens and their hosts in light of recent discoveries, providing a review of the current understanding of the myrmecophilous crickets.