Effect of Habitat Type on Parasitism of Ectatomma ruidum

Eucharitidae are parasitoids that use immature stages of ants for their development. Kapala Cameron is the genus most frequently collected in the Neotropics, but little is known about the biology and behavior of any of the species of this genus. We aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat type on eucharitid parasitism and to contribute to the knowledge of the host-parasite relationship between Kapala sp. and the poneromorph ant Ectatomma ruidum (Roger) in Colombia. Twenty E. ruidum colonies were extracted from two different habitat types (woodland and grassland), and larvae and cocoons (pupae) were examined in search for parasitoids in different stages of development. Globally, 60% of the colonies were parasitized, with 1.3% of larvae and 4% of pupae parasitized. Planidia (first-instar larvae), pupae, and adults of the parasitoid were observed. All of the pupae and adult parasitoids belonged to Kapala iridicolor Cameron. All the colonies collected in the woodlands were parasitized and contained more parasitized larvae (2%) and parasitized cocoons (8%) than those collected in grasslands (4/12 parasitized colonies, 0.5% parasitized larvae, 0.8% parasitized cocoons). The relationship observed between habitat type and parasitism prevalence is a novel aspect of the study of eucharitid impact on ant host populations

Co-occurrence in ant primary parasitoids: a Camponotus rectangularis colony as host of two eucharitid wasp genera

International audienceDifferent assemblages of parasitoids may attack a given host species and non-random distribution patterns in parasitoid species assemblages have been reported on various occasions, resulting in co-occurrence at the population, colony, or even individual host levels. This is the case for different closely related species of eucharitid wasps (a family of specialized ant parasitoids) sharing similar niches and co-occurring on the same host at different levels. Here we reviewed all known associations between eucharitid wasps and the ant host genus Camponotus Mayr, 1861 and reported new ant-parasitoid associations. In addition, we report a new case of co-occurrence in eucharitid wasps, at the host colony level, involving a new undescribed species of Pseudochalcura Ashmead, 1904 and an unidentified species of Obeza Heraty, 1985, which attack the common but very poorly known neotropical arboreal ant Camponotus rectangularis Emery, 1890. Most attacks were solitary, but various cocoons were parasitized by two (16%) or three (8%) parasitoids. Globally, parasitism prevalence was very low (3.7%) but showed an important variability among samples. Low parasitism prevalence along with host exposure to parasitoid attack on host plants and overlapping reproductive periods of both parasitoid species may have allowed the evolution of co-occurrence. We also provided some additional data regarding the host ant nesting habits, the colony composition and new symbiotic associations with membracids and pseudococcids. The seemingly polydomous nesting habits of C. rectangularis could play a part in the reduction of parasitism pressure at the population level and, combined with occasionally important local parasitism rates, could also contribute to some parts of the colonies escaping from parasites, polydomy possibly representing an effective parasitism avoidance trait

Diversity of the myrmecophilous communities associated with the ectatommine ant genus Ectatomma

International audienc

Impact of natural parasitism by two eucharitid wasps on a potential biocontrol agent ant in southeastern Mexico

International audienc

Arboreal Ant Colonies as ‘Hot-Points’ of Cryptic Diversity for Myrmecophiles: The Weaver Ant Camponotus sp. aff. textor and Its Interaction Network with Its Associates

International audienc

Diversity of Species and Behavior of Hymenopteran Parasitoids of Ants: A Review

International audienc

Parasitoids of the poorly known Neotropical myrmicine ant Pheidole susannae

International audienceNatural-enemy diversity effects on host population dynamics are not well understood. Enhanced host control is observed in diverse systems with different natural-enemy groups complementing one another temporally, but this is not always the case. Here we report on the co-occurrence of dipteran and hymenopteran parasitoids on a coastal population of Pheidole susannaeForel (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico. This Neotropical, opportunistic cavity nesting ant occurs in various habitats including conserved seasonal dry forest and mature lowland rainforest patches, and is also present in highly disturbed areas (city parks, hospitals). Pheidole susannaeis frequently reported as a dominant species along its geographical range, yet the specieshas been poorly studied. Whole colonies or parts of colonies nesting in the soil under stones or inside decomposing coconut shells were collected. Colonies are monogynous with about 400 workers and 800 immatures on average. Larvae and pupae were found parasitized by Orasema evansi(Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), a long known but only recently described wasp species, while adult workers were observed being attacked by female flies of the Apocephalus grandipalpis-group species (Diptera: Phoridae) in the rainy season, during a nest emigration after disturbance. Colony-level distress was obvious when flies were present and threatening. Parasitism rate by Orasemarepresented up to 12.5% of available brood. Though parasitism rate by phorids could not be evaluated, these dipteran parasitoids can also have significant ecological implications for both the host species and other interacting parasitoids, affecting host foraging patterns spatially and temporally as well as changing dominance hierarchies in ant communities,but also disturbing transport during emigrations including that of parasitized hosts. Though eucharitids may suffer a net reduction in fitness via interference competition from phorids during host nest relocation, the effect of both natural enemies on thehost population appears at least partially complementary

Co-occurrence of a fly and a wasp parasitoids in colonies of the Neotropical myrmicine ant Pheidole susannae

International audienceWe report on the co-occurrence of a dipteran and an hymenopteran parasitoids on a coastal population of the Neotropical myrmicine ant Pheidole susannae. Whole ant colonies (or parts of colonies) nesting in the soil, under stones, or inside coconut shells were collected. Larvae and pupae were parasitized by a species of Orasema (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), while adult ants were observed being attacked by flies of the Apocephalus grandipalpis-group species (Diptera: Phoridae), during colony relocation, in the rainy season. Parasitism rate by Orasema represented up to 10% of available brood. Though parasitism by Phorids could not be evaluated, ant distress at colony level was obvious when flies were present and threatening P. susannae workers, suggesting that these dipteran parasitoids can affect their host foraging patterns

Parasites Associated with the Ponerine Ant Ectatomma tuberculatum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): First Host Record for the Genus Dilocantha (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae)

International audienc

Opportunistic Predation by Leaf-Cutting Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on a Wounded Baird's Tapir (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) in Mexico

International audienc