Abstract
Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) is associated with a group of nine Pseudacteon Coquillett species in Brazil.Pseudacteon affinis Borgmeier, Pseudacteon dentiger Borgmeier and Pseudacteon disneyi Pesquero were created in a laboratory from parasitized workers of S. saevissima. The other phorid species grew only until the pupa phase due to low temperature and humidity when kept in a climatic chamber. Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier was more efficient than the other species, taking 12 days to kill the host workers. Similar to the group of phorid species parasitizingSolenopsis invicta Buren, the daily period of activity and body size are important factors to be considered in the use of these natural enemies in future programs of biological control of S. saevissima.
Highlights
The fire ants Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) have wide distribution in South America (Trager, 1991)
We captured 314 female flies on the 56 fire ant mounds identified as P. affinis (26.75%), P. cultellatus (24.52%), P. disneyi (16.56%), P. dentiger (14.65%), P. nudicornis (7%), the small biotype P. tricuspis (4.14%), P. fowleri (1.91%) and P. lenkoi (1.27%)
The five most abundant species occurred in the eight sites of the two municipalities; P. lenkoi and P. solenopsidis occurred in two sites of the two municipalities; P. fowleri occurred in one site of the two municipalities and P. tricuspis small biotype occurred in three sites of Goiânia
Summary
The fire ants Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) have wide distribution in South America (Trager, 1991). All the mounds of the fire ants were counted and disturbed to attract parasitoids which were collected, identified (Porter & Pesquero, 2001) and transferred for closed trays containing 5g of workers of S. saevissima maintained in quarantine for 45 days. A maximum of 30 individuals of each parasitoid species were sacrificed for size measurements (length of hind tibia).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
