Conopid flies (Diptera: Conopidae) parasitizing Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Centridini)

Neotrop Entomol. 2008 Sep-Oct;37(5):606-8. doi: 10.1590/s1519-566x2008000500018.

Abstract

Parasites of adult bees are almost exclusively flies and the most important of them are conopids. This note registers for the first time the association of species of Physocephala (Diptera: Conopidae) with Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius). From 26 females and nine males of the host species found dead inside trap-nests on the campus of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, 35 parasitoids were obtained belonging to nine species of Physocephala. The data show that C. analis is a host to several conopid flies, and suggest that such parasitoids can play an important role in population control of this bee species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees / parasitology*
  • Diptera / physiology*