Insights on the association of American Cetoniinae beetles with ants

Cetoniinae beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae) can occupy the nests of social insects. In many cases the beetles located within the colonies of social insects encounter a place of shelter and food resources for both adults and immatures. Despite the numerous cohabitation records, the relationship of Cetoniinae beetles with their ant hosts remains mostly unexplored. In this review we provide hypotheses explaining this ant-beetle association. A conceptual model is presented on the processes underpinning the occupation of the nest and the consequences that unfold after occupation, including: (i) death of the ant colony; (ii) death of beetles; and (iii) coexistence. We also provide an exhaustive list of American Cetoniinae beetle species found associated with ants and discuss the symbiotic relationships occurring between the beetles and their host ants.