Sociobiology (Dec 2015)

Natural Parasitism in Acromyrmex landolti Forel (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Pastures of Bahia, Brazil

  • Maria Aparecida Castellani,
  • Milton Silva Rodrigues Júnior,
  • Aldenise Alves Moreira,
  • Michele Silva D'Esquivel,
  • Edenilson Batista Ribeiro,
  • Luiz Carlos Forti,
  • Sebastién Lacau

DOI
https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i4.786
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 62, no. 4

Abstract

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This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of natural parasitism in Acromyrmex landolti Forel, identify parasitoids associated to the species and to estimate parasitism rates. The experiment was conducted from January to May 2012 in Itapetinga, BA. 20 nests were excavated, removing eggs, larvae, pupae and adults for counting and evaluating parasitism, isolating adult parasitoids and parasitized ant larvae. Parasitism by Mimopria sp. (Diapriidae: Diapriini) occurred in nine nests, with an average rate of 12% of parasitized larvae. It is the first record of parasitism of Mimopria Holmgren in an Attini species.

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