Parasites and other natural enemies of
poneromorph ants - Several animal groups are
able to circu... more Parasites and other natural enemies of poneromorph ants - Several animal groups are able to circumvent the extensive defenses of ants and their colonies, invading and residing within the nests, and sometimes establishing parasitic relationships with them. Among the organisms classified as parasites of ants are members of the: viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, platyhelminthes, mites and insects. To date, parasitic interactions with poneromorph ants are known with fungi, nematodes, platyhelminthes, mites and insects. This chapter deals with all these groups (except mites), but mainly considers the Diptera and Hymenoptera insect orders. In the Diptera, the Phoridae family is the most representative in respect of the parasitic interaction with poneromorph ants. This family is spread over all biogeographic regions and contains over four thousand species and 289 genera. Only the genera Megaselia and Apocephalus have been confirmed as direct parasitoids of poneromorph ants, they being associated with the ant genera: Dinoponera, Ectatomma, Gnamptogenys, Leptogenys, Neoponera, Odontomachus, Pachycondyla and Paraponera. Also among the Diptera, the genus Bengalia (Calliphoridae) has been recorded exhibiting cleptoparasitic behavior, stealing prey from the workers of the genus Bothroponera that were foraging outside the colony. In relation to the Hymenoptera, members of two superfamilies have been reported as natural enemies that establish types of parasitic relationships with the poneromorph ants: Chalcidoidea and Vespoidea. According to records made up to 2012, the Chalcidoidea superfamily includes more than 70% of all species of wasps that parasitise ants, with three families of parasitoids known to attack poneromorphs: Encyrtidae, Eucharitidae and Perilampidae. In Brazil, only one record of parasitism has been recorded so far. Social parasitism (or parasitism by other ants) has also been recorded between poneromorph and other ants, and this behavior has been reported in five subfamilies: Dolichoderinae, Myrmicinae, Formicinae, Pseudomyrmecinae and the poneromorph group, the Ectatomminae. These ant groups have been observed developing at the expense of poneromorph genera, like Rhytidoponera, Ectatomma and Diacamma. Studies detailing the parasitic relationship between poneromorphs and other organisms show that through a series of complex behaviours and morphological and/or chemical changes, the natural enemies of ants can circumvent the defense mechanisms of the colonies and attack the larvae, pupae and adults. The behaviour of parasites can be classified in several ways, but they do not always behave in the same ways and ecological interactions may vary in time and space, so classifying them accurately can be a complicated task. Furthermore, these behaviours have not been fully clarified, so there is clearly a need for work on the biology of the interactions between organisms and the poneromorph ants. As knowledge of the interactions among the various groups increases, this may raise questions about the co-evolution of these organisms, their biological and behavioural aspects and in some cases their use in biological control.
The genus Pseudacteon Coquillett (Diptera, Phoridae) has a worldwide distribution and comprises p... more The genus Pseudacteon Coquillett (Diptera, Phoridae) has a worldwide distribution and comprises parasitic myrmecophilous species that decapitate host ants. Seventy one species are known in the genus, 41 of them occur in the Neotropical Region and are 25 from Brazil. In northeastern Brazil, there are only records for two species, Pseudacteon dentiger Borgmeier and Pseudacteon antiguensis Malloch. In this paper, two new species of the genus are described from female specimens, Pseudacteon pesqueroi new spec. and Pseudacteon plowesi new spec., and also, new records of three Pseudacteon species for the Brazilian Northeast are given.
Dry pods of cacao are an important habitat exploit by different ant species to establish their ne... more Dry pods of cacao are an important habitat exploit by different ant species to establish their nest, and by their conditions, diverse organisms associated to them also occupied such nests. We studied the composition of ant assemblage and their accompanying arthropods in fall and hanging cacao pods from experimental areas in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. A total of 34 dry cacao fruits were reviewed. The hanging fruits were occupied by six species of ants, with Neoponera villosa as the commonest, while in fallen fruits eight species nested, with Camponotus cingulatus occupying most of the 50% of them. A total of 42 taxa were founded accompanying the ants in the nest, 37 in the fallen fruits (15 exclusive) and 26 in the hanging (seven exclusive). Groups as Mollusca, Myriapoda (Diplopoda, Chilopoda and Symphyla) and Opilionida, were found only in the fallen fruits. Some groups of predators, as Reduviidae and Schizomidae, were found only in nests from hanging fruits. The community composition in both types of fruits was different, more detritivorous groups were found in the fallen fruits, while in the hanging fruits were found more predators. The complexity of interactions established between nest suggests the importance of this environment to ecosystem function and conservation diversity in the cacao plantations.
Three species of Psychodidae were collected in colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis virulens (Smit... more Three species of Psychodidae were collected in colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis virulens (Smith, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in an area of Atlantic forest on the south of Bahia State, Brazil. Two of them are new to science, herein described: Trichomyia myrmecophila sp. nov. and Quatiella truncata sp. nov., the last one also occuring in other states of Northeastern Brazil (Paraíba and Ceará) and in the Amazonian Region. A new record of Trichomyia annae Bravo 2001 is given.
Parasites and other natural enemies of
poneromorph ants - Several animal groups are
able to circu... more Parasites and other natural enemies of poneromorph ants - Several animal groups are able to circumvent the extensive defenses of ants and their colonies, invading and residing within the nests, and sometimes establishing parasitic relationships with them. Among the organisms classified as parasites of ants are members of the: viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, platyhelminthes, mites and insects. To date, parasitic interactions with poneromorph ants are known with fungi, nematodes, platyhelminthes, mites and insects. This chapter deals with all these groups (except mites), but mainly considers the Diptera and Hymenoptera insect orders. In the Diptera, the Phoridae family is the most representative in respect of the parasitic interaction with poneromorph ants. This family is spread over all biogeographic regions and contains over four thousand species and 289 genera. Only the genera Megaselia and Apocephalus have been confirmed as direct parasitoids of poneromorph ants, they being associated with the ant genera: Dinoponera, Ectatomma, Gnamptogenys, Leptogenys, Neoponera, Odontomachus, Pachycondyla and Paraponera. Also among the Diptera, the genus Bengalia (Calliphoridae) has been recorded exhibiting cleptoparasitic behavior, stealing prey from the workers of the genus Bothroponera that were foraging outside the colony. In relation to the Hymenoptera, members of two superfamilies have been reported as natural enemies that establish types of parasitic relationships with the poneromorph ants: Chalcidoidea and Vespoidea. According to records made up to 2012, the Chalcidoidea superfamily includes more than 70% of all species of wasps that parasitise ants, with three families of parasitoids known to attack poneromorphs: Encyrtidae, Eucharitidae and Perilampidae. In Brazil, only one record of parasitism has been recorded so far. Social parasitism (or parasitism by other ants) has also been recorded between poneromorph and other ants, and this behavior has been reported in five subfamilies: Dolichoderinae, Myrmicinae, Formicinae, Pseudomyrmecinae and the poneromorph group, the Ectatomminae. These ant groups have been observed developing at the expense of poneromorph genera, like Rhytidoponera, Ectatomma and Diacamma. Studies detailing the parasitic relationship between poneromorphs and other organisms show that through a series of complex behaviours and morphological and/or chemical changes, the natural enemies of ants can circumvent the defense mechanisms of the colonies and attack the larvae, pupae and adults. The behaviour of parasites can be classified in several ways, but they do not always behave in the same ways and ecological interactions may vary in time and space, so classifying them accurately can be a complicated task. Furthermore, these behaviours have not been fully clarified, so there is clearly a need for work on the biology of the interactions between organisms and the poneromorph ants. As knowledge of the interactions among the various groups increases, this may raise questions about the co-evolution of these organisms, their biological and behavioural aspects and in some cases their use in biological control.
The genus Pseudacteon Coquillett (Diptera, Phoridae) has a worldwide distribution and comprises p... more The genus Pseudacteon Coquillett (Diptera, Phoridae) has a worldwide distribution and comprises parasitic myrmecophilous species that decapitate host ants. Seventy one species are known in the genus, 41 of them occur in the Neotropical Region and are 25 from Brazil. In northeastern Brazil, there are only records for two species, Pseudacteon dentiger Borgmeier and Pseudacteon antiguensis Malloch. In this paper, two new species of the genus are described from female specimens, Pseudacteon pesqueroi new spec. and Pseudacteon plowesi new spec., and also, new records of three Pseudacteon species for the Brazilian Northeast are given.
Dry pods of cacao are an important habitat exploit by different ant species to establish their ne... more Dry pods of cacao are an important habitat exploit by different ant species to establish their nest, and by their conditions, diverse organisms associated to them also occupied such nests. We studied the composition of ant assemblage and their accompanying arthropods in fall and hanging cacao pods from experimental areas in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. A total of 34 dry cacao fruits were reviewed. The hanging fruits were occupied by six species of ants, with Neoponera villosa as the commonest, while in fallen fruits eight species nested, with Camponotus cingulatus occupying most of the 50% of them. A total of 42 taxa were founded accompanying the ants in the nest, 37 in the fallen fruits (15 exclusive) and 26 in the hanging (seven exclusive). Groups as Mollusca, Myriapoda (Diplopoda, Chilopoda and Symphyla) and Opilionida, were found only in the fallen fruits. Some groups of predators, as Reduviidae and Schizomidae, were found only in nests from hanging fruits. The community composition in both types of fruits was different, more detritivorous groups were found in the fallen fruits, while in the hanging fruits were found more predators. The complexity of interactions established between nest suggests the importance of this environment to ecosystem function and conservation diversity in the cacao plantations.
Three species of Psychodidae were collected in colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis virulens (Smit... more Three species of Psychodidae were collected in colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis virulens (Smith, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in an area of Atlantic forest on the south of Bahia State, Brazil. Two of them are new to science, herein described: Trichomyia myrmecophila sp. nov. and Quatiella truncata sp. nov., the last one also occuring in other states of Northeastern Brazil (Paraíba and Ceará) and in the Amazonian Region. A new record of Trichomyia annae Bravo 2001 is given.
Uploads
poneromorph ants - Several animal groups are
able to circumvent the extensive defenses of ants
and their colonies, invading and residing within
the nests, and sometimes establishing parasitic
relationships with them. Among the organisms
classified as parasites of ants are members of the:
viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes,
platyhelminthes, mites and insects. To date,
parasitic interactions with poneromorph ants are
known with fungi, nematodes, platyhelminthes,
mites and insects. This chapter deals with all
these groups (except mites), but mainly considers
the Diptera and Hymenoptera insect orders.
In the Diptera, the Phoridae family is the most
representative in respect of the parasitic interaction
with poneromorph ants. This family is spread over
all biogeographic regions and contains over four
thousand species and 289 genera. Only the genera
Megaselia and Apocephalus have been confirmed
as direct parasitoids of poneromorph ants, they
being associated with the ant genera: Dinoponera,
Ectatomma, Gnamptogenys, Leptogenys,
Neoponera, Odontomachus, Pachycondyla and
Paraponera. Also among the Diptera, the genus
Bengalia (Calliphoridae) has been recorded
exhibiting cleptoparasitic behavior, stealing prey
from the workers of the genus Bothroponera that
were foraging outside the colony. In relation to the
Hymenoptera, members of two superfamilies have
been reported as natural enemies that establish types
of parasitic relationships with the poneromorph
ants: Chalcidoidea and Vespoidea. According
to records made up to 2012, the Chalcidoidea
superfamily includes more than 70% of all species
of wasps that parasitise ants, with three families
of parasitoids known to attack poneromorphs:
Encyrtidae, Eucharitidae and Perilampidae. In
Brazil, only one record of parasitism has been
recorded so far. Social parasitism (or parasitism
by other ants) has also been recorded between
poneromorph and other ants, and this behavior has
been reported in five subfamilies: Dolichoderinae,
Myrmicinae, Formicinae, Pseudomyrmecinae
and the poneromorph group, the Ectatomminae.
These ant groups have been observed developing
at the expense of poneromorph genera, like
Rhytidoponera, Ectatomma and Diacamma.
Studies detailing the parasitic relationship
between poneromorphs and other organisms
show that through a series of complex behaviours
and morphological and/or chemical changes, the
natural enemies of ants can circumvent the defense
mechanisms of the colonies and attack the larvae,
pupae and adults. The behaviour of parasites
can be classified in several ways, but they do not
always behave in the same ways and ecological
interactions may vary in time and space, so
classifying them accurately can be a complicated
task. Furthermore, these behaviours have not been
fully clarified, so there is clearly a need for work on
the biology of the interactions between organisms
and the poneromorph ants. As knowledge of the
interactions among the various groups increases,
this may raise questions about the co-evolution of
these organisms, their biological and behavioural
aspects and in some cases their use in biological
control.
myrmecophilous species that decapitate host ants. Seventy one species are known in the genus, 41 of them occur in the
Neotropical Region and are 25 from Brazil. In northeastern Brazil, there are only records for two species, Pseudacteon
dentiger Borgmeier and Pseudacteon antiguensis Malloch. In this paper, two new species of the genus are described
from female specimens, Pseudacteon pesqueroi new spec. and Pseudacteon plowesi new spec., and also, new records of
three Pseudacteon species for the Brazilian Northeast are given.
poneromorph ants - Several animal groups are
able to circumvent the extensive defenses of ants
and their colonies, invading and residing within
the nests, and sometimes establishing parasitic
relationships with them. Among the organisms
classified as parasites of ants are members of the:
viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes,
platyhelminthes, mites and insects. To date,
parasitic interactions with poneromorph ants are
known with fungi, nematodes, platyhelminthes,
mites and insects. This chapter deals with all
these groups (except mites), but mainly considers
the Diptera and Hymenoptera insect orders.
In the Diptera, the Phoridae family is the most
representative in respect of the parasitic interaction
with poneromorph ants. This family is spread over
all biogeographic regions and contains over four
thousand species and 289 genera. Only the genera
Megaselia and Apocephalus have been confirmed
as direct parasitoids of poneromorph ants, they
being associated with the ant genera: Dinoponera,
Ectatomma, Gnamptogenys, Leptogenys,
Neoponera, Odontomachus, Pachycondyla and
Paraponera. Also among the Diptera, the genus
Bengalia (Calliphoridae) has been recorded
exhibiting cleptoparasitic behavior, stealing prey
from the workers of the genus Bothroponera that
were foraging outside the colony. In relation to the
Hymenoptera, members of two superfamilies have
been reported as natural enemies that establish types
of parasitic relationships with the poneromorph
ants: Chalcidoidea and Vespoidea. According
to records made up to 2012, the Chalcidoidea
superfamily includes more than 70% of all species
of wasps that parasitise ants, with three families
of parasitoids known to attack poneromorphs:
Encyrtidae, Eucharitidae and Perilampidae. In
Brazil, only one record of parasitism has been
recorded so far. Social parasitism (or parasitism
by other ants) has also been recorded between
poneromorph and other ants, and this behavior has
been reported in five subfamilies: Dolichoderinae,
Myrmicinae, Formicinae, Pseudomyrmecinae
and the poneromorph group, the Ectatomminae.
These ant groups have been observed developing
at the expense of poneromorph genera, like
Rhytidoponera, Ectatomma and Diacamma.
Studies detailing the parasitic relationship
between poneromorphs and other organisms
show that through a series of complex behaviours
and morphological and/or chemical changes, the
natural enemies of ants can circumvent the defense
mechanisms of the colonies and attack the larvae,
pupae and adults. The behaviour of parasites
can be classified in several ways, but they do not
always behave in the same ways and ecological
interactions may vary in time and space, so
classifying them accurately can be a complicated
task. Furthermore, these behaviours have not been
fully clarified, so there is clearly a need for work on
the biology of the interactions between organisms
and the poneromorph ants. As knowledge of the
interactions among the various groups increases,
this may raise questions about the co-evolution of
these organisms, their biological and behavioural
aspects and in some cases their use in biological
control.
myrmecophilous species that decapitate host ants. Seventy one species are known in the genus, 41 of them occur in the
Neotropical Region and are 25 from Brazil. In northeastern Brazil, there are only records for two species, Pseudacteon
dentiger Borgmeier and Pseudacteon antiguensis Malloch. In this paper, two new species of the genus are described
from female specimens, Pseudacteon pesqueroi new spec. and Pseudacteon plowesi new spec., and also, new records of
three Pseudacteon species for the Brazilian Northeast are given.