Abstract
Abstract: The first case of parasitoidism of a Myrmicinae ant by a sarcophagid fly has been observed in the Brazilian Cerrado. The larva of a Helicobia Coquillet (Sarcophagidae) specimen fed on head tissues of an Atta laevigata Smith, 1858 soldier and an adult male fly emerged from a puparium formed outside the host.
Highlights
Parasitoidism of ants by flies (Diptera) have been reported for single species of the families Tachinidae and Syrphidae and many species of the family Phoridae
The fly emerged 12 days later and the fly was identified as a member of the genus Helicobia Coquillet, 1985 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Sarcophaginae) (Figure 1B)
The biological characteristics of this interaction are comparable with those described for A. laevigata and the phorid Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier, 1928, which is one of the several parasitoids of the family that oviposit on at least four other species of leaf-cutting ants (Erthal & Tonhasca 2000, Bragança & Medeiros 2006, Bragança 2011)
Summary
Parasitoidism of ants by flies (Diptera) have been reported for single species of the families Tachinidae and Syrphidae and many species of the family Phoridae. We observed a single sarcophagid fly interacting with an A. laevigata soldier. During the search for phorids attacking A. laevigata workers, an unidentified sarcophagid or tachinid was observed flying over, and sometimes walking on, the head and back of an individual soldier, who was moving unusually slowly manner.
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