Tineid moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) and ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) coexisting in Japanese Tit nest box

Abstract

Japanese Tit, Parus minor Temminck & Schlegel (Paridae), nest box was surveyed on June 9, 2012, in Yamato-son, Amami-Oshima Is., Japan. Although the nest box was colonized by ant, Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander) (Formicidae), over 191 moths of Monopis longella (Walker) (Tineidae) developed from the nest. This is the first report of moths and ants coexisting in the bird nest. The moth is not a myrmecophilous insect. It is inferred that the wall of nest materials well-tightened functioned as a barrier between the tineid larvae and ants. The ant touched the larva, but did not capture it. The moth larvae might have non-characteristic odor like myrmecophilous sylverfishes, and then ants did not attack them. The tineid larvae a little quickly burrowed into nest materials. This behavior may reveal to avoid being preyed upon by natural enemies (ant etc.).