Observations on the biology of Hemimems talpoides (Insecta: Dermaptera)

The little known ectoparasitic insects of the genus Hemimerus lived and bred on a captive giant rat Cricetomys, allowing prolonged observation of their habits. They never normally left the host for more than a few seconds and never fed elsewhere than on the host. Food was taken from the skin, ears, eyes and mouth but the rat never showed serious irritation. Breeding was slow and possibly closely controlled by temperature. The position in copulation was quite different from that of typical Dermaptera.