Size-selective Oviposition in Pseudacteon crawfordi (Diptera: Phoridae), a Parasite of Fire Ants
- 1 March 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Annals of the Entomological Society of America
- Vol. 80 (2) , 148-151
- https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/80.2.148
Abstract
Solenopsis geminata (F.) and Solenopsis xyloni McCook, fire ants native to North America, are attacked by at least three species of parasitic phorid flies. Oviposition behavior of one of these parasites, Pseudacteon crawfordi Coquillett, is described. This species inserts its oviscape in a thoracic suture of workers and apparently deposits eggs therein. P. crawfordi does not oviposit on all available workers, but tends to attack larger workers. Several reasons are suggested for size-selective oviposition in parasitic phorid flies, and the implications for host ant species are discussed.Keywords
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