First Belgian ant crickets discovered in Heusden-Zolder nature reserve

A remarkable discovery has been made in Belgium's Galgenberg nature reserve in Heusden-Zolder, where a forest ranger has identified the first ant crickets ever recorded in the country. These small, wingless insects, known for living in close association with ants, were found by ranger and insect photographer Jan Ruymen while he was studying ant nests.

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A real lucky break.

Ruymen described the find as a "real lucky break." He stumbled upon two mysterious creatures while examining decaying wood. "I saw them walking in an ant nest when I was looking between the dead wood. Ants are normally very defensive, so it was already a rarity that these little creatures could be in an ant nest without problems. That's when I knew it was something special," Ruymen explained, visibly pleased.

Initially unsure of the insect's identity, Ruymen used AI and consulted specialists to confirm it was the ant cricket, scientifically known as *Myrmecophilus acervorum*. This species is rare and had not previously been documented in Belgium. Ruymen later found a second specimen in another ant nest within a 100-meter radius, bringing the total to three individuals spotted. He has since documented his findings in a report.

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I saw them walking in an ant nest when I was looking between the dead wood. Ants are normally very defensive, so it was already a rarity that these little creatures could be in an ant nest without problems. That's when I knew it was something special.

The ant cricket is a small, pale, wingless insect measuring only about 3 millimeters. They do not produce sound and have poor eyesight, adaptations suited to their dark, subterranean habitat. Ruymen noted that they live as guests within ant colonies, feeding on food scraps or sometimes receiving food directly from the ants. To avoid being attacked, they can mimic the ants' scent, effectively deceiving the colony. The discovery raises questions about their presence in Belgium, as they are typically found in warm, dry climates. Scientists are considering hypotheses, including the possibility that the crickets were transported to Belgium, as their lack of wings makes independent long-distance travel unlikely. The species was previously discovered in the Netherlands in 2020.

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They have no wings, so it would be very strange if they came all the way here on their own.