Attack Behavior of Elasmus polistis Burks (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Nest of Polistes versicolor (Oliver) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and its Defensive Behavior

Thiago Marinho Alvarenga; Yuri Fanchini Messas; Hebert da Silva Souza; Luana Leite Guimarães Santos; Jober Fernando Sobczak

doi:10.12741/ebrasilis.v8i2.475

Authors

Thiago Marinho Alvarenga Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Yuri Fanchini Messas Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Hebert da Silva Souza Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Luana Leite Guimarães Santos Instituto Federal de Ciência e Tecnologia do Triângulo Mineiro
Jober Fernando Sobczak Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-brasileira

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12741/ebrasilis.v8i2.475

Keywords:

Ectoparasitoid, Eulophinae, Circular formation, Host, Neotropical, Ectoparasitoide, Formação circular, Hospedeiro.

Abstract

The attack behavior of Elaumus polistis Burks in the nest cells of Polistes versicolor (Oliver) was recorded for the first time in South America. We observed that E. polistis flies in front of the P. versicolor nest, enters inside it and oviposits on wasps prepupae and pupae, possibly through the cells that compose the nest. Despite the obvious defensive behavior of the wasps described here, we found that E. polistis is efficient in parasitizing the pupae.

Comportamento de Ataque de Elasmus polistis Burks (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) a Ninho de Polistes versicolor (Oliver) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) e seu Comportamento de Defesa

Resumo. O comportamento de ataque de Elasmus polistis Burks em células do ninho de Polistes versicolor (Oliver) foi registrado pela primeira vez na América do Sul. Observou-se que E. polistis voa em frente ao ninho de P. versicolor, ingressa em seu interior e oviposita sobre as pré-pupas e pupas das vespas, possivelmente através das células que compõem o ninho. Apesar do evidente comportamento de defesa das vespas aqui descrito verificou-se que E. polistis é eficiente em parasitar suas pupas.

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