Zombie fire ant workers: behavior controlled by decapitating fly parasitoids |
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Authors: | D C Henne S J Johnson |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Entomology, 404 Life Sciences Building, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Laboratory observations were conducted on four separate red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, colonies that contained workers parasitized by the decapitating fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis. Parasitized S. invicta workers remained inside the nest during parasitoid larval development and left the nest approximately 8 – 10 hours before
decapitation by the parasitoid. When parasitized ants left the nest, they were highly mobile, were responsive to tactile stimuli,
and showed minimal defensive behavior. Ants ultimately entered into a grass thatch layer, where they were decapitated and
the fly maggots pupariated. This study reveals that parasitized ants exhibit behaviors that are consistent with host manipulation
to benefit survival of the parasitoid.
Received 9 November 2006; revised 26 January 2007; accepted 7 February. |
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Keywords: | Solenopsis invicta Pseudacteon tricuspis host manipulation host behaviour parasitoid |
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