%0 Journal Article
%T Leaf-Cutter Ant Parasitoids: Current Knowledge
%A Patricia J. Folgarait
%J Psyche
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/539780
%X This review updates and summarizes the current knowledge about the interaction of leaf-cutter ants and their parasitoids by providing comparable data for Acromyrmex and Atta ants. First, an overview of the relevant aspects of the biology and taxonomy of leaf cutters and of their parasitoids is provided. Second, I show the peculiarities of the parasitoids attacking behaviors towards their host as well as the responses or ant defenses against the phorids exhibited by their hosts. Third, I discuss relevant aspects of the interactions between hosts and parasitoids. Finally, the review ends demonstrating why these phorids could be promising biological control agents of leaf-cutter pests and suggests priority lines of research for the future. 1. Introduction Since the Feener Jr. and Brown [1] review discussion on flies as parasitoids, there has not been a comprehensive review on Phoridae (Diptera) parasitoids specialized on attacking adult ant workers. Phorids attacking fire ants are the ones most extensively studied due to their application in biological control. The literature is vast and dispersed although there is a review about Pseudacteon biology and interaction with fire ants [2]. Other scarce studies were done on other ant-phorid systems such as Pheidole [3, 4], Azteca [5, 6], and Paraponera [7]. Until more information is gathered, generalizations will not be possible for these groups. Hsun-Yi and Perfecto [8] have done an interesting review on indirect trait mediated effects of parasitoids on ants showing general patterns such as a reduction in ant¡¯s foraging activity, body sizes as well as the amount of food retrieved by colonies. A compilation of leaf-cutter phorid species with their known and/or potential host species has been recently made [9]. The mentioned work includes some biological data about parasitoids of Atta, mainly from the laboratory, but a comprehensive review about their biology and ecological interaction with their hosts, including data of Acromyrmex, has not been done. Furthermore, Bragan£¿a [9] has not updated the scientific names of 14 species (called as Neodohrniphora) according to the status change of the subgenus Eibesfeldtphora to genus, proposed by Disney et al. [10]. Although the great majority of data available is limited to the southern portion of South America and therefore more work is needed, it is enough to observe general patterns. This review will summarize the current information about this system and will identify key questions and gaps of knowledge where researchers should focus attention. 2. Leaf-Cutter Ants The
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/psyche/2013/539780/