From specialization in spider egg predation to an original nesting mode ina "primitive" ant: A new kind of lestobiosis

Mature colonies of Disco-thyrea oculata were observed nesting in cribellati d spider oothecas where they found both shelter and food although these oot hecas, installed in preexisting cavities, were protected with crimped silk. Workers of colonies bred in test tubes during laboratory experiments recup erated the silk from spider oothecas introduced into their foraging area, u sing their mandibles and forelegs, to operculate and line the test tubes. A lso, colonies left the test tubes to shelter in the cribellatid spider ooth ecas. The term "arachnolesty" is proposed for this new kind of lestobiosis.