SOLENOPSIS (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE) FIRE ANT REACTIONS TO ATTACKS OF PSEUDACTERON FLIES (DIPTERA, PHORIDAE) IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

We studied the responses of Solenopsis fire ants to Pseudacteon phorid fly attacks in southeastern Brazil. The presence of these phorid parasites triggered a suite of phorid-specific defense responses including reduced foraging, bait guarding, a curled defensive posture, and general colony immobility. The existence of these phorid-specific defenses indicates that Pseudacteon phorids exert substantial evolutionary pressure on South American fire ant populations.