Parasites and Parasitoids
A parasite is an organism that lives in or on another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense, resulting in the death of the host. A parasitoid is an insect whose larvae live as parasites that eventually kill their hosts (typically other insects).
This differs from social parasitism, where the "parasite" does not feed directly on their host, but rather benefits from exploiting the host's colony.
Contents
Diptera
Chloropidae
Gonzalez et al. (2016) found that Pseudogaurax paratolmos, a fly in the family Chloropidae, parasitizes larvae of Apterostigma dentigerum. Larval flies are solitary ectoparasitoids, each of which attaches to a single ant larva and develops from larva to pupa in 2 wk, consuming nearly the entire host, and then ecloses as an adult 1 wk later. Overall parasitism prevalence was 6.8% of 203 nests, and flies were active during both the dry and rainy seasons. Intensity of parasitism ranged from 18.2 to 100% of larvae attacked per parasitized nest. No other species of Apterostigma that nested in the same localities were parasitized by the flies, including Apterostigma pilosum (n = 93 nests) and Apterostigma auriculatum (n = 10 nests). All immature ants, parasitized or not, as well as immature stages of Pseudogaurax paratolmos, were attended by adult ants that exhibited normal brood care behavior, including covering immatures with mycelia, grooming, and maintaining brood in the fungus garden.
Phoridae
See Phorid Flies for further details.
List of Ants Known to Host Phorid Flies
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atta sexdens | Apocephalus attophilus | Farder-Gomes et al., 2020 | ||
Atta sexdens | Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai | Farder-Gomes et al., 2020 | ||
Pachycondyla harpax | Apocephalus sp. | Wheeler and Wheeler, 1952 | ||
Pachycondyla harpax | Metopina pachycondylae | Wheeler and Wheeler, 1952 | ||
Solenopsis geminata | Pseudacteon bifidus | Porter et al. 2018 | ||
Solenopsis invicta | Pseudacteon obtusitus | Folgarait et al., 2020 |
Hymenoptera
Agaonidae
The family Agaonidae is a group of pollinating and non-pollinating fig wasps. They spend their larval stage inside the fruits of figs. The pollinating wasps (Agaoninae, Kradibiinae, and Tetrapusiinae) are the mutualistic partners of the fig trees. The non-pollinating fig wasps are parasitic.
List of Ants Known to Host Agaonid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crematogaster scutellaris | Blastophaga psenes | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Aphelinidae
The Aphelinidae are a moderate-sized family of tiny parasitic wasps, with about 1160 described species in some 35 genera. The larvae of the majority are primary parasitoids on Hemiptera, though other hosts are attacked, and details of the life history can be variable (e.g., some attack eggs, some attack pupae, and others are hyperparasites). Males and females may have different hosts and different life histories. They are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats, and are extremely important as biological control agents.
List of Ants Known to Host Aphelinid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camponotus nylanderi | Aphytis melinus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Coccophagus chaetosus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Coccophagus saltator | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Coccophagus tetrastichoides | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster dohrni | Coccophagus saltator | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Dolichoderus | Coccophagus pumilus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Dolichoderus thoracicus | Coccophagus diminutus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Dolichoderus thoracicus | Coccophagus pumilus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aerata | Aphytis melinus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Aphytis melinus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Cales noacki | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Eretmocerus sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Solenopsis xyloni | Aphytis melinus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Tapinoma erraticum | Aphytis melinus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Chalcididae
The Chalcididae are a moderate-sized family within the Chalcidoidea, composed mostly of parasitoids and a few hyperparasitoids. As presently defined, there are over 85 genera and over 1460 species worldwide.
List of Ants Known to Host Chalcid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camponotus compressus | Epitranus chilkaensis | Narendran, 1989; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Oecophylla smaragdina | Smicromorpha doddi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Oecophylla smaragdina | Smicromorpha keralensis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Oecophylla smaragdina | Smicromorpha masneri | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate, primary host | |
Pheidole titanis | Notaspidium sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Diapriidae
The Diapriidae are a family of parasitoid wasps. These tiny insects have an average length of 2–4 mm and never exceed 8 mm. They typically attack larvae and pupae of a wide range of insects, especially flies. The about 2,300 described species in 150 genera occur world-wide.
List of Ants Known to Host Diapriid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Acromyrmex ambiguus | Gymnopria lucens | Brazil, Uruguay | Loiacono, 1987; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Acromyrmex lobicornis | Szelenyiopria pampeana | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Acromyrmex lobicornis | Trichopria formicans | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Acromyrmex lundii | Bruchopria hexatoma | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Acromyrmex lundii | Doliopria myrmecobia | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Eciton | Szelenyiopria sp. | Loiacono, 1987; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | ||
Eciton burchellii | Doliopria collegii | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Eciton dulcium | Notoxoides pronotalis | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Eciton quadriglume | Doliopria collegii | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Eciton quadriglume | Szelenyiopria reichenspergeri | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Linepithema humile | Basalys sp. | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Linepithema humile | Trichopria sp. | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Neivamyrmex carettei | Asolenopsia rufa | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Neivamyrmex legionis | Szelenyiopria reichenspergeri | Brazil, Argentina | Loiacono, 1987; Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Neivamyrmex pseudops | Notoxoides pedissequus | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Neivamyrmex sulcatus | Notaxoides pronatalis | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Solenopsis richteri | Bruchopria hexatoma | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Solenopsis richteri | Bruchopria pentatoma | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Solenopsis richteri | Trichopria myrmecophila | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 | |
Solenopsis saevissima | Pentapria cf. nodicornis | Argentina | Loiacono, 2013; Gonzalez et al., 2016 |
Encyrtidae
Encyrtidae is a large family of parasitic wasps, with some 3710 described species in about 455 genera. The larvae of the majority are primary parasitoids on Hemiptera, though other hosts are attacked, and details of the life history can be variable (e.g., some attack eggs, some attack larvae, others are hyperparasites, and some Encyrtidae develop as parasitoids of ticks). They are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats, and are extremely important as biological control agents.
List of Ants Known to Host Encyrtid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Azteca xanthochroa | Aenasius tachigaliae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus | Arketypon vaderi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus acvapimensis | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus brutus | Ooencyrtus sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus flavomarginatus | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus nylanderi | Leptomastix dactylopii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Aenasius tachigaliae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Astymachus phainae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Encyrtus ingae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Encyrtus ludmilae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster | Metaphycus monastyrskii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster curvispinosa | Aenasius tachigaliae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster dohrni | Encyrtus ingae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster luctans | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Dolichoderus | Microterys roseni | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Dolichoderus thoracicus | Microterys roseni | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Iridomyrmex rufoniger | Ananusia longiscapus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius niger | Anicetus beneficus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius niger | Bothriothorax intermedius | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius niger | Syrphophagus aphidivorus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lepisiota capensis | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Comperiella bifasciata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Leptomastix dactylopii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Metaphycus anneckei | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Metaphycus hageni | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Linepithema humile | Metaphycus lounsburyi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Monomorium | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Myrmica rubra | Syrphophagus aphidivorus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Myrmicaria opaciventris | Ooencyrtus sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Neoponera goeldii | Blanchardiscus pollux | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Ochetellus glaber | Ananusia australis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Oecophylla longinoda | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Oecophylla smaragdina | Paraphaenodiscus udayveeri | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Pheidole | Holcencyrtus wheeleri | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Pheidole megacephala | Anagyrus ananatis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Pheidole megacephala | Anagyrus lopezi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Pheidole megacephala | Anagyrus saccharicola | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Pheidole megacephala | Blepyrus schwarzi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Pheidole tepicana | Holcencyrtus wheeleri | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate, primary host | |
Solenopsis xyloni | Comperiella bifasciata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Tapinoma erraticum | Leptomastix dactylopii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Eucharitidae
The Eucharitidae are a family of parasitic wasps and are members of the superfamily Chalcidoidea with 55 genera and 417 species. They are found in tropical regions of the world.
Eucharitids are specialized parasitoids of ants, with each species usually only parasitic of one genus of ant. They are one of the few parasitoids that have been able to use ants as hosts, despite ants’ effective defence systems against most parasitoids. Eucharitid parasitism occurs year-round, with a majority of it occurring during hot and humid months. However, the amount of parasitism that occurs depends primarily on the size of the ant colony and the number of host pupae in them, and not on the season.
See Eucharitid Wasps for further details.
List of Ants Known to Host Eucharitid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anoplolepis | Athairocharis vannoorti | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Calomyrmex purpureus | Stilbuloida calomyrmecis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Ancylotropus manipurensis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Lophyrocera variabilis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Mateucharis rugulosa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Pseudochalcura gibbosa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Pseudochalcura nigrocyanea | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus | Rhipipalloidea madangensis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Rhipipalloidea sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Stilbula cyniformis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Stilbuloida doddi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Zulucharis campbelli | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus aethiops | Stilbula cyniformis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus atriceps | Obeza floridana | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus herculeanus | Stilbula cyniformis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus maculatus | Stilbula cyniformis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus novaeboracensis | Pseudochalcura gibbosa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus planatus | Pseudochalcura sculpturata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Cataglyphis bicolor | Eucharis bedeli | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Cataglyphis bicolor | Eucharis bytinskisalzi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate and primary host | |
Cataglyphis nodus | Eucharis microcephala | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Diacamma scalpratum | Schizaspidia diacammae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Diacamma scalpratum | Schizaspidia diacammae | Thailand | Peeters et al. 2015 | |
Dinoponera lucida | Kapala sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Eciton burchellii | Isomerala azteca | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Eciton quadriglume | Orasema rapo | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host; questionable, needs confirmation | |
Ectatomma | Tricoryna ectatommae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate, primary host | |
Ectatomma brunneum | Dicoelothorax platycerus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Ectatomma ruidum | Isomerala azteca | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Ectatomma ruidum | Isomerala coronata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Ectatomma ruidum | Kapala sulcifacies | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Ectatomma tuberculatum | Dilocantha lachaudii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Ectatomma tuberculatum | Isomerala azteca | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Ectatomma tuberculatum | Isomerala coronata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica | Eucharis adscendens | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica | Eucharis esakii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica fusca | Eucharis esakii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica oreas | Orasema coloradensis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica rufa | Eucharis adscendens | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica rufa | Eucharis bedeli | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica subnitens | Orasema coloradensis | Wheeler, 1907; Johnson et al., 1986; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | questionable, needs confirmation | |
Gnamptogenys menadensis | Pogonocharis browni | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Hypoponera | Neolosbanus gemma | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Hypoponera | Neolosbanus palgravei | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Lasius | Pseudometagea schwarzii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Lasius fuliginosus | Pseudometagea sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Lasius neoniger | Pseudometagea schwarzii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Messor | Eucharis adscendens | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Messor | Eucharis punctata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Messor barbarus | Eucharis adscendens | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Messor barbarus | Eucharis punctata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Messor concolor | Eucharis punctata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Monomorium | Zuparka monomoria | Heraty, 2000; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Myrmecia | Austeucharis sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Myrmecia | Chalcura affinis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Myrmecia forficata | Austeucharis fasciiventris | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Myrmecia forficata | Austeucharis myrmeciae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Myrmecia gulosa | Austeucharis fasciiventris | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Myrmecia pilosula | Austeucharis implexa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Odontomachus | Kapala sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Odontomachus chelifer | Latina rugosa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate, primary host | |
Odontomachus haematodus | Chalcura deprivata | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Odontomachus haematodus | Kapala terminalis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Odontomachus haematodus | Schizaspidia convergens | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Odontomachus insularis | Kapala terminalis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Odontomachus rixosus | Schizaspidia nasua | Heraty et al., 2015; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Odontomachus ruficeps | Chalcura affinis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pachycondyla crassinoda | Kapala cuprea | Myers, 1931:276 | ||
Pachycondyla crassinoda | Kapala cuprea | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole | Australosema valgius | Girault, 1913; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole | Hayatosema assectator | Das, 1963; Kerrich, 1963; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole | Losbanus "sp. nr. rugulosa" | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019 | primary host | |
Pheidole | Orasema "sp. 2 nr. bakeri" | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pheidole | Orasema "sp. 2 nr. bakeri" | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019 | ''Pheidole'' nr. ''californica'' | |
Pheidole | Orasema "sp. 2 nr. bakeri" | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019 | ''Pheidole'' nr. ''clementensis'' | |
Pheidole | Orasema minuta | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host; ''Pheidole'' nr. ''tetra'' | |
Pheidole | Orasema minutissima | Mann, 1918; Heraty, 1994; Wetterer & Porter, 2003; Burks et al. 2018; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pheidole | Orasema sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole | Orasema susanae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host; ''Pheidole'' nr. ''tetra'' | |
Pheidole | Orasema tolteca | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole | Orasema wayqecha | Herreid, 2015; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pheidole | Orasemorpha eribotes | Boucek, 1988; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole | Orasemorpha myrmicae | Heraty, 1994; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole alfaroi | Orasema wayqecha | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole bicarinata | Orasema coloradensis | Wheeler, 1907; Johnson et al., 1986; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole bicarinata | Oresema sp. | Arizona | Stefan Cover (pers. obs.) | |
Pheidole capensis | Timioderus acuminatus | Heraty, 2000; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole ceres | Orasema wheeleri | Wheeler, 1907; Gahan, 1940; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole dentata | Orasema achkola | Heraty, 1994; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pheidole dentata | Orasema evansi | Burks et al., 2018; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole dentata | Orasema robertsoni | Van Pelt, 1950; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole desertorum | Orasema simulatrix | Carey et al., 2012; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole flavens | Orasema costaricensis | Wheeler & Wheeler, 1937; Kempf, 1972; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole gibba | Orasema chunpi | Brazil | Silva & Casadei-Ferreira, 2020 | |
Pheidole hirtula | Orasema tolteca | Mann, 1914; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole hyatti | Orasema tolteca | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole megacephala | Ivieosema fraudulenta | Reichensperger, 1913; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole nitidula | Orasema argentina | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole nitidula | Orasema worcesteri | Gemignani, 1933; Heraty et al., 1993; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole pilifera | Orasema occidentalis | Wheeler & Wheeler, 1986; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pheidole proxima | Orasemorpha tridentata | Brues, 1934; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole radoszkowskii | Orasema worcesteri | Gemignani, 1933; Heraty et al., 1993; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole sciophila | Orasema wheeleri | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole tasmaniensis | Orasemorpha xeniades | Heraty, 1994; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole tepicana | Orasema viridis | Wheeler, 1907; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole tepicana | Orasema wheeleri | Wheeler, 1907; Gahan, 1940; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pheidole vallifica | Orasema costaricensis | Wheeler & Wheeler, 1937; Kempf, 1972; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pheidole veteratrix | Ibitya commnunis | Burks et al., 2017; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Pogonomyrmex badius | Kapala floridana | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Pogonomyrmex serpens | Galearia coleopteroides | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Polyrhachis | Rhipipalloidea sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Polyrhachis | Stilbula arenae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host; ''Polyrhachis'' sp., ''Cyrtomyrma'' sp. | |
Polyrhachis dives | Stilbula polyrhachicida | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Polyrhachis femorata | Rhipipalloidea mira | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera | Tricoryna ectatommae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera | Tricoryna iello | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera metallica | Chalcura nigricyanea | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera metallica | Tricoryna chalcoponerae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera metallica | Tricoryna minor | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera victoriae | Tricoryna minor | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera violacea | Stilbula cyniformis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Rhytidoponera violacea | Tricoryna sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis | Orasema pireta | Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019 | primary host | |
Solenopsis geminata | Orasema taii | Heraty, 1990; Chien & Heraty, 2018; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host; ''Solenopsis geminata'' X ''xyloni'' hybrid | |
Solenopsis invicta | Orasema salebrosa | Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis invicta | Orasema simplex | Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis invicta | Orasema sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate, primary host | |
Solenopsis invicta | Orasema xanthopus | Silveira-Guido et al., 1964; Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis macdonaghi | Orasema salebrosa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis macdonaghi | Orasema simplex | Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019 | ||
Solenopsis molesta | Orasema coloradensis | Wheeler, 1907; Johnson et al., 1986; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis quinquecuspis | Orasema aenea | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis quinquecuspis | Orasema freychei | Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; | ||
Solenopsis quinquecuspis | Orasema simplex | Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; | ||
Solenopsis quinquecuspis | Orasema xanthopus | Silveira-Guido et al., 1964; Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019 | primary host | |
Solenopsis richteri | Orasema salebrosa | Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis richteri | Orasema simplex | Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al., 2010; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis richteri | Orasema xanthopus | Silveira-Guido et al., 1964; Heraty et al., 1993; Varone et al. 2010; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis saevissima | Orasema xanthopus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate, primary host | |
Solenopsis tenuis | Orasema sixaolae | Wheeler & Wheeler, 1937; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Solenopsis xyloni | Orasema taii | Heraty, 1990; Chien & Heraty, 2018; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host; ''Solenopsis geminata'' X ''xyloni'' hybrid | |
Temnothorax allardycei | Orasema minuta | Heraty, 1990; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Tetramorium | Orasema "sp. 2 nr. bakeri" | Heraty 1990; Baker et al., 2019 | primary host | |
Wasmannia auropunctata | Orasema minutissima | Mann, 1918; Heraty, 1994; Wetterer & Porter, 2003; Burks et al., 2018; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Wasmannia sigmoidea | Orasema minutissima | Mann, 1918; Heraty, 1994; Wetterer & Porter, 2003; Burks et al., 2018; Baker et al., 2019; Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host |
Eulophidae
The Eulophidae are a large family of hymenopteran insects, with over 4,300 described species in some 300 genera. The larvae of a very few species feed on plants, but the majority are primary parasitoids on a huge range of arthropods at all stages of development. Eulophids are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats (one is even aquatic, parasitising psephenid beetles).
List of Ants Known to Host Eulophid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camponotus | Horismenus microdonophagus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Camponotus | Horismenus myrmecophagus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus atriceps | Horismenus floridensis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Crematogaster | Myrmokata diparoides | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Crematogaster | Myrmokata sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Crematogaster crinosa | Melittobia australica | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Crematogaster depressa | Pediobius acraconae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Dolichoderus | Myrmobomyia malayana | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Achrysocharoides niveipes | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Chrysocharis assis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Chrysocharis collaris | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Chrysocharis nephereus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Chrysocharis orbicularis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Chrysocharis pilicoxa | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Cirrospilus curvineurus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Cirrospilus vittatus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Derostenus gemmeus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Dicladocerus westwoodii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Elachertus artaeus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Pediobius metallicus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Pnigalio longulus | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Pnigalio pectinicornis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Sympiesis gordius | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Sympiesis sericeicornis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica aquilonia | Sympiesis xanthostoma | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica fusca | Melittobia acasta | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica pratensis | Melittobia acasta | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Formica sanguinea | Melittobia acasta | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Lepisiota | Pediobius marjoriae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Technomyrmex fulvus | Microdonophagus woodleyi | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Eupelmidae
Eupelmidae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. As presently defined, there are over 905 described species in 45 genera. The larvae of the majority are primary parasitoids, commonly on beetle larvae, though many other hosts are attacked, including spiders, and details of the life history can be variable (e.g., some attack eggs and others are hyperparasites). They are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats.
List of Ants Known to Host Eupelmid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pseudomyrmex elongatulus | Anastatus reduvii | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Temnothorax purpuratus | Anastatus myrmecobius | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Eurytomidae
The Eurytomidae are a family within the superfamily Chalcidoidea. As presently defined, some 1420 species in 87 genera are described. Unlike most chalcidoids, the larvae of many are phytophagous (feeding in stems, seeds, or galls), while others are more typical parasitoids, though even then the hosts are usually found within plant tissues. They are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats, and a few are considered pests.
List of Ants Known to Host Eurytomid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Azteca | Aximopsis affinis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Azteca alfari | Aximopsis aztecicida | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Azteca constructor | Aximopsis aztecicida | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | primary host | |
Camponotus | Camponotophilus delvarei | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Formica obscuripes | Sycophila sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Pteromalidae
The Pteromalidae are a very large family of mostly parasitoid wasps, with some 3,450 described species in about 640 genera. The majority are (as with most chalcidoids) parasitoids of other insects. They are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats, and many are important as biological control agents.
List of Ants Known to Host Pteromalid Wasps
Ant | Wasp Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atta mexicana | Spalangia attae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Atta texana | Spalangia attae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Crematogaster scutellaris | Philotrypesis caricae | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius fuliginosus | Spalangia crassicornis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius fuliginosus | Spalangia nigripes | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius niger | Asaphes vulgaris | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius niger | Caenacis sp. | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Lasius niger | Pachyneuron aphidis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Myrmica rubra | Asaphes vulgaris | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate | |
Myrmica rubra | Pachyneuron aphidis | Universal Chalcidoidea Database | associate |
Strepsiptera
The Strepsiptera are endoparasites in other insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, leafhoppers, silverfish, and cockroaches. Females of most species never emerge from the host after entering its body, ultimate dying inside it. The early-stage larvae do emerge as they must find an unoccupied living host, and the short-lived males must emerge to seek a receptive female in her host.
List of Ants Known to Host Strepsipterans
Ant | Strepsipteran Species | Locality | Source | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camponotus crassus | Stichotrema beckeri | Cook, 2019 | ||
Camponotus planatus | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Camponotus punctulatus cruentus | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Camponotus punctulatus cruentus | Myrmecolax ogloblini | Cook, 2019 | reported as "''Camponotus punctulatus cruentatus'' Forel" | |
Camponotus punctulatus cruentus | Stichotrema beckeri | Cook, 2019 | ||
Crematogaster | Stichotrema angolensis | Cook, 2019 | ||
Crematogaster | Stichotrema barrosmachadoi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Crematogaster laeviuscula | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Dolichoderus bispinosus | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Eciton dulcium | Myrmecolax borgmeieri | Cook, 2019 | ||
Myrmelachista zeledoni | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Neoponera apicalis | Myrmecolax incautus | Cook, 2019 | ||
Neoponera verenae | Myrmecolax incautus | Cook, 2019 | ||
Pheidole | Stichotrema robertsoni | Cook, 2019 | ||
Pheidole jelskii | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Pheidole radoszkowskii | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Pseudomyrmex acanthobius virgo | Stichotrema beckeri | Cook, 2019 | ||
Solenopsis invicta | Caenocholax fenyesi | Cook, 2019 | ||
Solenopsis richteri | Stichotrema beckeri | Cook, 2019 |
References
- Cook, J.L. 2019. Annotated catalog of the order Strepsiptera of the world. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 144: 121-267 (doi:10.3157/061.145.0202).
- Gonzalez, C., Wcislo, W., Cambra, R., Wheeler, T., Fernandez-Marın, H. 2016. A new ectoparasitoid species of Pseudogaurax Malloch, 1915 (Diptera: Chloropidae), attacking the fungus-growing ant, Apterostigma dentigerum Wheeler, 1925 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 109(4): 639–645 (doi:10.1093/aesa/saw023).
- Fernandez-Marın, H., Zimmerman, J.K., Wcislo, W.T. 2006. Acanthopria and Mimopriella parasitoid wasps (Diapriidae) attack Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants (Formicidae, Attini). Naturwissenschaften 93: 17–21 (doi:10.1007/s00114-005-0048-z).
- Loiacono, M.S. 1987. Un nuevo diaprido (Hymenoptera) parasitoide de larvas de Acromyrmex ambiguus (Emery) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) en el Uruguay. Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina 44: 129–136.
- Loiacono, M.S., Margarıa, C.B., Aquino, D.A. 2013. Diapriinae wasps (Hymenoptera: Diaprioidea: Diapriidae) associated with ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina. Psyche 2013: Article 320590 (doi:10.1155/2013/320590).
- Perez-Ortega, B., Fernandez-Marın, H., Loiacono, M.S., Galgani, P., Wcislo, W.T. 2010. Biological notes on a fungus-growing ant, Trachymyrmex cf. zeteki (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini) attacked by a diverse community of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Diapriidae). Insectes Sociaux 57: 317–322 (doi:10.1007/s00040-010-0086-1).
- Peeters, C., Heraty, J., Wiwatwitaya, D. 2015. Eucharitid wasp parasitoids in the cocoons of the ponerine ant Diacamma scalpratum from Thailand. Halteres 6: 90-94.
- Torrens, J. 2013. A review of the biology of Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Argentina. Psyche 2013: Article 926572 (doi:10.1155/2013/926572).
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