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Abstract
Little is known about the natural history of phorid parasitoids of leaf-cutting ants, an important pest in the Neotropics. This is particularly so for phorids attacking Acromyrmex species. We searched for phorids ovipositing and reared them from ants collected in the field. We found that these phorids formed a guild. Acromyrmex phorids selected ants from all sizes available outside the nests, whereas Atta phorids did not parasitize the smallest workers and soldiers. Maximum parasitism by phorids was 12% for Acromyrmex and 35% for Atta hosts, percentages higher than any reported previously. Some phorid species coexisting in a site showed differences in developmental times. Only 1.1% of phorids collected over hosts were males; however, as the male : female ratios from parasitoid rearing did not differ from one, mating is suspected to occur elsewhere. Our results helped to increase the knowledge of the phorids of leaf-cutters, and highlighted their potential use for the biocontrol of these ants.
Acknowledgements
The Capovilla family gave logistic support and permission to perform fieldwork in their property, in San Cristóbal. Gabriel Maceiras helped with phorid rearing, Daniel Aquino collaborated with measurements of ants and phorids, and Moncho Soza helped with collecting ants in the field. We are grateful to Henry Disney for sharing his knowledge and for his hospitality. Fabiana Cuezzo helped in corroborating two Acromyrmex species. Diego Meier and two reviewers made useful comments on the manuscript, and Andrea Guillade helped with the English writing. This work was supported by National Geographic (grant 7539-03 to P.J.F.) and Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (grants 0340/03 to P.J.F. and SAI-0090/06 to L.E.). L.E. and P.J.F. also thank CONICET.