Conopid flies (Diptera: Conopidae) parasitizing Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Centridini).
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.
Santos
Alex M
AM
Depto. Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901.
Serrano
José C
JC
Couto
Ricardo M
RM
Rocha
Leonardo S G
LS
Mello-Patiu
Cátia A
CA
Garófalo
Carlos A
CA
D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000469:parasitology*; D004175:Diptera / Q000502:physiology*