Work

First host record of stylopization of a worker ant, Ectatomma edentatum (Formicidae: Ectatomminae), by a Myrmecolacidae (Strepsiptera)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Strepsipterans of the family Myrmecolacidae are endoparasitoid insects of ants distributed worldwide, except in the Palearctic and Antarctic regions. Despite this, knowledge about their host ants and the effects of this parasitism on their biology remains scarce. To fill this gap in Brazil, we used yellow pan traps in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in search of stylopized ants (i.e., parasitized by Strepsiptera). The present study records for the first time the observation of a stylopized worker ant of the species Ectatomma edentatum in Brazil and details the general behavior of stylopized ants. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of yellow pan traps as a collection method of stylopized ants and compare their functionality to previously employed methods.

Source: Frontiers in Insect Science

DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2026.1762540

Authors: André L. Marambaia, Jacques H. C. Delabie, Favízia F. de Oliveira, Jeyaraney Kathirithamby

Institutions: Universidade Federal da Bahia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Comissão Executiva do Plano da Lavoura Cacaueira - Ceplac, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,077

Funder: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico