Host-parasite-interaction

Guides

Anthophora pacifica
Pacific Digger Bee
Anthophora pacifica is a solitary, ground-nesting digger bee native to western North America. Females excavate burrows in soil to construct individual nests provisioned with pollen and nectar. The species serves as the primary host for the cleptoparasitic bee Melecta pacifica fulvida, which invades its nests to lay eggs. A. pacifica is part of the diverse Anthophora genus, which includes other notable digger bees such as the bumble bee-mimic A. bomboides stanfordiana.
digger-bee ground-nesting-bee solitary-bee native-pollinator western-North-America host-parasite-interaction
Cuterebra buccata
rabbit bot fly
Cuterebra buccata is a New World bot fly in the family Oestridae, commonly known as the rabbit bot fly. Adults are large, bumble bee-sized flies that lack functional mouthparts and do not feed. The species is host-specific to lagomorphs, particularly cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Larvae develop subcutaneously in warbles, feeding on host fluids rather than tissue. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and have short lifespans focused on reproduction.
bot-fly myiasis parasite lagomorph rabbit Oestridae Cuterebrinae bumble-bee-mimicry warble subcutaneous-parasite host-specific non-feeding-adult puparium Cuterebra Sylvilagus cottontail-rabbit New-World North-America Virginia Missouri Vermont spring-emergence late-summer-prevalence rarely-encountered short-lived-adult evolutionary-coevolution benign-parasitism soil-pupation larval-migration subcutaneous-development Diptera Insecta entomology medical-entomology veterinary-entomology wildlife-disease parasitology host-parasite-interaction cuterebrid rabbit-parasite lagomorph-parasite bot warble-fly gadfly Oestrus-buccata Fabricius-1775 Cuterebra-buccata-(Fabricius,-1775)
Cyphomyrmex
fungus-growing ants
Cyphomyrmex is a genus of small, drab-colored fungus-growing ants in the tribe Attini, found primarily in the Neotropics. These ants cultivate fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae as their primary food source, with most species growing fungal nodules rather than full mycelial gardens. Colonies are typically monogynous and small, rarely exceeding 500 workers. The genus is divided into two species complexes: the strigatus complex (South America only) and the rimosus complex (southern North America to South America). Cyphomyrmex represents a basal lineage among attine ants and serves as sister group to Mycetophylax.
fungus-growing-ants attine-ants Myrmicinae Neotropical mutualism fungiculture Leucocoprineae monogyny parasitoid-wasps social-parasitism chemical-ecology alkaloid-venom nest-architecture behavioral-plasticity cytogenetics chromosome-evolution Guiana-Shield Brazil Panama Puerto-Rico Mesoamerica Argentina United-States Texas California Florida yeast-gardens mycelial-gardens rimosus-complex strigatus-complex age-polyethism trophallaxis thanatosis feigning-death Diapriidae Acanthopria Mimopriella Megalomyrmex social-parasite C.-longiscapus C.-transversus C.-laevigatus C.-rimosus C.-minutus C.-lectus C.-cornutus C.-costatus pheromones 3-octanol farnesenes trail-following alarm-signal diketopiperazines antifungal-compounds defensive-behavior colony-defense flight-response recruitment Lanchester's-laws karyotype chromosome-number rDNA microsatellites FISH chamber-depth gallery-length fire-disturbance savanna-forest-transition arboreal-nesting clay-auricles soil-nests wood-nests epiphytic-nests moss-nests coconut-nests desiccation-susceptibility moist-habitats basal-attine phylogenetics sister-group chemical-evolution venom-alkaloids behavioral-manipulation host-parasite-interaction ecosystem-engineering nutrient-cycling decomposition organic-matter insect-feces exoskeleton-substrate garden-transplantation worker-polymorphism queen-number dealate-queens alates brood-care ecdysis-assistance foraging sugar-collection plant-exudates fungal-domestication nodule-cultivation mycelium-cultivation agricultural-behavior nest-entrance funnel-structure exposed-gardens symbiont-diversity geographic-variation research-model evolutionary-biology mutualism-evolution ant-fungus-coevolution chemical-communication social-insects eusociality colony-size small-colonies slow-movement crypsis debris-mimicry predation-avoidance parasitoid-defense wasp-killing colony-abandonment resource-rescue thief-ant-defense venom-resistance toxicity-tolerance behavioral-suppression playing-dead alkaloid-manipulation fungal-secondary-metabolites antibacterial-compounds antiviral-compounds garden-protection microbial-defense nest-microclimate temperature-regulation humidity-requirements depth-effects fire-adaptation disturbance-ecology habitat-specificity substrate-specialization clay-construction soil-manipulation architectural-plasticity vertical-nesting embankment-nesting overhang-nesting pendant-nests swallow-nest-mimicry research-accessibility field-biology tropical-ecology Neotropical-myrmecology biodiversity conservation invasive-species-context native-species biological-control Integrated-Pest-Management agricultural-ecology forest-ecology savanna-ecology transitional-habitats disturbed-areas urban-ecology anthropogenic-impact climate-sensitivity habitat-limitation range-boundaries dispersal colonization establishment population-dynamics demography colony-density nest-spacing intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition territoriality resource-defense combat-behavior aggression-levels recruitment-behavior chemical-signaling alarm-pheromones trail-pheromones recognition-cues cuticular-hydrocarbons venom-composition defensive-secretions mandibular-glands Dufour's-gland metapleural-glands antibiotic-production grooming-behavior fungal-inoculation integumental-fungi yeast-growth larval-grooming garden-maintenance substrate-preparation fecal-fertilizer anal-trophallaxis crop-regurgitation fluid-application drying-behavior nodule-formation transplantation-behavior garden-establishment ceiling-gardens root-association architectural-innovation nest-site-selection microhabitat-choice moisture-requirements thermal-buffering predator-avoidance parasite-avoidance disease-resistance social-immunity collective-behavior division-of-labor task-allocation temporal-polyethism worker-age nurse-workers forager-workers soldier-caste-absence monomorphism worker-size-variation queen-worker-differentiation reproductive-caste gyne-production male-production seasonal-reproduction colony-founding claustral-founding non-claustral-founding fungal-inoculum founding-queen first-worker-generation nutritional-dependency fat-reserves metabolic-adaptation digestive-physiology enzyme-complement fungal-enzyme lignocellulose-degradation nutritional-mutualism obligate-mutualism vertical-transmission horizontal-transmission symbiont-switching cultivar-replacement garden-failure colony-mortality population-turnover generation-time longevity survivorship life-expectancy aging senescence reproductive-investment colony-growth colony-decline budding fission reproduction-mode genetic-structure relatedness mating-system nuptial-flight mate-choice sperm-storage colony-odor nestmate-recognition foreign-rejection agonistic-behavior territorial-marking boundary-defense raiding-behavior robbing-behavior cleptobiosis dulosis slavery inquilinism guest-ants myrmecophiles nest-associates commensalism inquilines parasite-tolerance host-manipulation venom-alkaloid pyrrolidine indolizidine piperidine nonanal farnesene sesquiterpene agriculture-chemical gaster-extract chemical-diversity chemical-simplicity evolutionary-precursor derived-chemistry biosynthetic-pathway semiochemical infochemical communication information-transfer colony-organization social-structure polygyny queen-condition dealation wing-shedding ovarian-development fecundity egg-laying brood-development developmental-rate temperature-dependence humidity-dependence food-availability nutritional-quality fungal-productivity garden-yield worker-production colony-efficiency energy-allocation resource-allocation foraging-efficiency search-behavior prey-detection food-retrieval transport-behavior load-size travel-speed path-integration orientation navigation homing-behavior learning memory experience individual-recognition context-dependent-behavior threat-assessment risk-management predator-inspection alarm-propagation recruitment-activation mobilization colony-response emergency-behavior panic-response controlled-response defensive-strategy offensive-strategy escalation de-escalation conflict-resolution fight-avoidance retreat-behavior surrender-signal dominance-hierarchy reproductive-skew worker-policing queen-policing egg-eating oviposition-suppression reproductive-conflict kin-conflict worker-reproduction male-production-by-workers anarchy social-parasitism-detection parasite-recognition enemy-recognition nest-intrusion nest-defense perimeter-defense chamber-defense brood-defense queen-defense self-sacrifice suicidal-defense autothysis sting-use mandible-use spraying-behavior gaster-flexion chemical-defense mechanical-defense armor cuticle-thickness pigmentation masquerade mimicry Batesian-mimicry Muellerian-mimicry aggressive-mimicry Wasmannian-mimicry myrmecophily myrmecophagy ant-plant-mutualism trophobiosis extrafloral-nectary domatia plant-ant-interaction herbivore-defense seed-dispersal pollination ecosystem-service functional-role trophic-position detritivore decomposer saprotroph necrotroph fungivore omnivore predator scavenger trophic-level energy-flow carbon-cycling nitrogen-cycling phosphorus-cycling soil-formation bioturbation aeration water-infiltration microbial-community bacteria actinomycetes Pseudonocardia disease-suppression garden-hygiene weeding-behavior pruning-behavior fungal-grooming antibiotic-application mutualist-protection agricultural-disease crop-pathology escovopsis garden-parasite competitor-fungus pathogen-defense immune-response individual-immunity grooming allogrooming self-grooming nest-cleaning refuse-management fecal-management waste-disposal midden-formation territory-size home-range foraging-range recruitment-range exploration exploitation information-use public-information private-information cue-use signal-use communication-network interaction-network social-network colony-network population-network community-ecology species-interaction apparent-competition exploitative-competition interference-competition resource-partitioning niche-differentiation habitat-filtering environmental-gradient altitudinal-distribution latitudinal-distribution continental-distribution island-distribution endemism biogeography phylogeography historical-biogeography vicariance range-expansion range-contraction refugia glacial-cycles climate-change-impact habitat-fragmentation deforestation land-use-change agricultural-intensification urbanization pollution pesticide-exposure heavy-metal-accumulation conservation-status population-viability extinction-risk protected-area reserve-design habitat-corridor connectivity metapopulation source-sink-dynamics rescue-effect mass-effect ecological-theory behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology trait-based-ecology comparative-analysis phylogenetic-comparative-methods character-evolution ancestral-state-reconstruction convergent-evolution parallel-evolution adaptive-radiation species-diversification speciation hybridization introgression gene-flow genetic-differentiation population-structure molecular-ecology genomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics volatile-organic-compound cuticular-hydrocarbon glandular-secretion sting-apparatus mandible-morphology head-morphology mesosomal-morphology petiolar-morphology gastral-morphology leg-morphology antennal-morphology sensilla chemoreception mechanoreception thermoreception photoreception vision compound-eye ocelli brain-morphology neuroanatomy learning-capacity memory-capacity cognitive-ability problem-solving tool-use sequence-learning route-learning spatial-memory temporal-memory social-learning cultural-transmission tradition colony-personality behavioral-syndrome boldness exploration-tendency activity-level aggression-level foraging-tendency defensive-tendency stress-response physiological-stress thermal-stress desiccation-stress starvation-stress immune-challenge wound-healing metabolic-rate respiration energy-expenditure water-balance osmoregulation excretion Malpighian-tubules rectum hindgut midgut foregut crop proventriculus digestive-enzyme nutrient-absorption lipid-metabolism carbohydrate-metabolism protein-metabolism amino-acid-metabolism nitrogen-excretion uric-acid urea ammonia osmolyte cryoprotectant heat-shock-protein stress-protein antioxidant-defense oxidative-stress reactive-oxygen-species aging-biology senescence-theory disposable-soma antagonistic-pleiotropy mutation-accumulation life-history-theory r-K-selection bet-hedging iteroparity semelparity reproductive-effort parental-investment maternal-effect paternal-effect epigenetics DNA-methylation histone-modification non-coding-RNA gene-regulation transcription-factor signaling-pathway hormone juvenile-hormone ecdysone insulin-signaling TOR-signaling nutrient-sensing reproductive-signaling caste-determination sex-determination environmental-sex-determination genetic-sex-determination haplodiploidy arrhenotoky thelytoky parthenogenesis arrhenotokous-parthenogenesis automixis apomixis central-fusion terminal-fusion genomic-imprinting parental-conflict kin-selection inclusive-fitness Hamilton's-rule relatedness-asymmetry sex-ratio-theory local-mate-competition local-resource-competition local-resource-enhancement split-sex-ratio worker-sex-ratio queen-sex-ratio colony-sex-ratio population-sex-ratio operational-sex-ratio effective-population-size genetic-drift inbreeding inbreeding-depression outbreeding outbreeding-depression heterosis hybrid-vigor genetic-load mutation-rate effective-number-of-codons codon-usage-bias GC-content genome-size karyotype-evolution chromosomal-rearrangement fusion inversion translocation polyploidy aneuploidy chromosomal-polymorphism rDNA-cluster heterochromatin euchromatin centromere telomere nucleolus-organizer-region satellite-DNA minisatellite microsatellite simple-sequence-repeat transposable-element retrotransposon DNA-transposon horizontal-gene-transfer endosymbiont Wolbachia Cardinium Rickettsia Spiroplasma bacterial-symbiont fungal-symbiont viral-symbiont parasite pathogen disease epidemiology transmission-dynamics virulence resistance tolerance recovery immunity vaccination prophylaxis medicinal-behavior self-medication thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation social-thermoregulation microclimate-selection nest-temperature brood-temperature fungal-garden-temperature metabolic-heat heat-dissipation evaporative-cooling behavioral-cooling fanning ventilation chamber-design gallery-design entrance-design air-flow humidity-regulation water-collection water-storage desiccation-resistance cuticular-waterproofing spiracle-control respiratory-water-loss excretory-water-loss water-recycling metabolic-water dietary-water environmental-water rainfall-dependence seasonal-activity dry-season wet-season monsoon drought flood fire disturbance succession primary-succession secondary-succession climax-community pioneer-species habitat-specialist habitat-generalist edge-species interior-species gap-species canopy-species understory-species ground-species subterranean-species arboreal-species liana-species epiphyte-species lithophyte-species rheophyte-species aquatic-margin-species terrestrial-species fossorial-species cursorial-species scansorial-species volant-species winged-reproductive dealate ergatoid brachypterous apterous polymorphism caste-polymorphism queen-polymorphism male-polymorphism size-polymorphism allometry isometry shape-variation morphological-integration modularity evolvability constraints developmental-stability fluctuating-asymmetry directional-asymmetry antisymmetry phenotypic-plasticity reaction-norm genotype-environment-interaction grandparental-effect indirect-genetic-effect social-environment-effect colony-effect density-dependence frequency-dependence negative-frequency-dependence positive-frequency-dependence apostatic-selection anti-apostatic-selection search-image predator-learning prey-learning friend-recognition cuticular-hydrocarbon-profile gestalt-odor colony-specific-odor individual-specific-odor task-specific-odor age-specific-odor reproductive-odor queen-odor queen-pheromone primer-pheromone releaser-pheromone signal-pheromone modulatory-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone recruitment-pheromone aggregation-pheromone sex-pheromone marking-pheromone territorial-pheromone defensive-pheromone poison-gland Dufour-gland mandibular-gland postpharyngeal-gland metapleural-gland sternal-gland tarsal-gland anal-gland rectal-gland pygidial-gland mandibular-brush tibial-spur stridulatory-organ subgenual-organ Johnston's-organ tympanal-organ hair-sensillum campaniform-sensillum basiconic-sensillum coeloconic-sensillum placoid-sensillum sensilla-trichodea sensilla-basiconica sensilla-coeloconica sensilla-ampullacea sensilla-campaniformia sensilla-placodea olfactory-receptor-neuron gustatory-receptor-neuron mechanoreceptor-neuron thermoreceptor-neuron hygroreceptor-neuron photoreceptor-neuron visual-processing olfactory-processing gustatory-processing mechanosensory-processing central-complex mushroom-body antennal-lobe optic-lobe suboesophageal-ganglion ventral-nerve-cord sympathetic-nervous-system neurosecretion neurohemal-organ corpus-cardiacum corpus-allatum prothoracic-gland ventral-gland pericardial-gland neuroendocrine-regulation hormonal-regulation pheromonal-regulation neural-regulation behavioral-regulation social-regulation environmental-regulation developmental-regulation reproductive-regulation metabolic-regulation homeostatic-regulation allostatic-regulation stress-regulation immune-regulation circadian-rhythm circannual-rhythm photoperiodism thermoperiodism biological-clock zeitgeber entrainment free-running-period phase-response-curve masking-effect arousal-threshold sleep torpor diapause quiescence dormancy aestivation hibernation cold-hardiness heat-hardiness desiccation-hardiness anoxia-hardiness starvation-hardiness radiation-hardiness pressure-hardiness gravity-perception magnetic-field-perception electric-field-perception sound-perception vibration-perception substrate-borne-signal air-borne-signal seismic-signal chemical-signal visual-signal tactile-signal auditory-signal multimodal-signal composite-signal redundant-signal amplifying-signal attenuating-signal honest-signal deceptive-signal costly-signal cheap-signal conventional-signal index-signal handicap-signal amplifier social-selection sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice male-male-competition female-female-competition parent-offspring-conflict sibling-conflict worker-queen-conflict worker-worker-conflict sexual-conflict antagonistic-coevolution arms-race evolutionary-dynamics community-dynamics ecosystem-dynamics biogeochemical-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle water-cycle trophic-transfer production-efficiency consumption-efficiency assimilation-efficiency ecological-efficiency Lindeman-efficiency 10%-rule food-chain food-web trophic-cascade top-down-control bottom-up-control wasps-control donor-control recipient-control interaction-strength interaction-web ecological-network network-topology network-metrics degree-distribution connectance nestedness compartmentalization robustness fragility resilience recovery-time return-time elasticity perturbation pulse-disturbance press-disturbance chronic-disturbance acute-disturbance catastrophic-disturbance natural-disturbance anthropogenic-disturbance habitat-destruction habitat-degradation habitat-modification habitat-loss habitat-isolation edge-effect matrix-effect permeability corridor-effect stepping-stone source-population sink-population metapopulation-dynamics extinction-debt colonization-credit relaxation-effect time-lag historical-legacy priority-effect founder-effect bottleneck-effect selection natural-selection artificial-selection directional-selection stabilizing-selection disruptive-selection balancing-selection frequency-dependent-selection density-dependent-selection r-selection K-selection c-selection s-selection a-selection bet-hedging-selection fluctuating-selection correlational-selection multivariate-selection indirect-selection correlated-response genetic-correlation phenotypic-correlation environmental-correlation correlation-matrix variance-covariance-matrix G-matrix P-matrix E-matrix M-matrix quantitative-genetics heritability narrow-sense-heritability broad-sense-heritability genetic-variance additive-genetic-variance dominance-variance epistatic-variance environmental-variance phenotypic-variance genotype-environment-interaction-variance maternal-variance paternal-variance common-environment-variance special-environment-variance measurement-error-variance response-to-selection realized-heritability predicted-response breeder's-equation selection-gradient selection-differential Lande-equation multivariate-breeder's-equation genetic-constraint evolutionary-constraint developmental-constraint functional-constraint phylogenetic-constraint historical-constraint trade-off allocation-trade-off acquisition-trade-off conversion-trade-off maintenance-trade-off reproduction-survival-trade-off growth-reproduction-trade-off immune-reproduction-trade-off stress-reproduction-trade-off foraging-predation-trade-off competition-colonization-trade-off tolerance-resistance-trade-off plasticity-canalization-trade-off generalist-specialist-trade-off speed-accuracy-trade-off exploration-exploitation-trade-off individual-colony-trade-off within-colony-trade-off between-colony-trade-off life-history-trade-off demographic-trade-off ecological-trade-off evolutionary-trade-off optimization maximization minimization satisficing marginal-value-theorem optimal-foraging-theory optimal-diet-theory central-place-foraging patch-use-theory giving-up-density giving-up-time predation-risk energetic-cost opportunity-cost handling-time search-time travel-time encounter-rate prey-density prey-profitability prey-choice diet-breadth niche-width niche-overlap niche-partitioning resource-selection habitat-selection settlement-choice nest-site-choice host-choice oviposition-choice foraging-choice path-choice route-choice central-place territory core-area edge-area boundary perimeter area volume shape configuration spatial-pattern temporal-pattern diel-pattern seasonal-pattern annual-pattern multiannual-pattern cyclical-pattern irregular-pattern random-pattern clumped-pattern uniform-pattern regular-pattern aggregated-pattern overdispersed-pattern underdispersed-pattern Poisson-distribution negative-binomial-distribution Taylor's-power-law spatial-autocorrelation temporal-autocorrelation cross-correlation spectral-analysis wavelet-analysis time-series-analysis population-time-series community-time-series ecosystem-time-series long-term-study long-term-monitoring long-term-experiment chronosequence space-for-time-substitution paleoecology paleontology fossil-record trace-fossil coprolite nest-fossil amber-inclusion subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene neogene paleogene cretaceous mesozoic cenozoic geological-time deep-time evolutionary-time ecological-time generational-time physiological-time perception-time reaction-time decision-time memory-time learning-time developmental-time life-span colony-lifespan queen-lifespan worker-lifespan male-lifespan larval-development-time pupal-development-time egg-development-time incubation-time doubling-time half-life relaxation-time resilience-time resistance-time lag-time lead-time forecast-time prediction-time planning-time management-time conservation-time restoration-time mitigation-time adaptation-time speciation-time diversification-time extinction-time persistence-time transience-time ephemerality permanence stability instability equilibrium non-equilibrium steady-state dynamic-state transient-state asymptotic-state attractor repeller limit-cycle chaos stochasticity determinism predictability unpredictability complexity emergence self-organization pattern-formation spatial-self-organization temporal-self-organization spatiotemporal-self-organization swarm-intelligence collective-decision-making consensus-decision quorum-response wisdom-of-crowds information-cascade cultural-evolution gene-culture-coevolution niche-construction extended-phenotype extended-organism superorganism colony-as-individual colony-as-unit-of-selection group-selection multilevel-selection reciprocal-altruism by-product-mutualism amensalism competition predation herbivory parasitism parasitoidism chemical-mimicry tactile-mimicry visual-mimicry acoustic-mimicry defensive-mimicry Vavilovian-mimicry Bakerian-mimicry Gilbertian-mimicry Poultonian-mimicry Browerian-mimicry auto-mimicry intra-specific-mimicry inter-specific-mimicry molecular-mimicry cellular-mimicry tissue-mimicry organ-mimicry behavioral-mimicry reproductive-mimicry social-mimicry nest-mimicry food-mimicry predator-mimicry prey-mimicry host-mimicry guest-mimicry cleptoparasite cuckoo-parasite inquiline guest myrmecophile termitophile aphidophile coccidophile scale-insect-associate mealybug-associate whitefly-associate planthopper-associate treehopper-associate leafhopper-associate cicada-associate butterfly-associate moth-associate beetle-associate fly-associate wasp-associate bee-associate ant-associate spider-associate mite-associate tick-associate nematode-associate flatworm-associate roundworm-associate annelid-associate mollusk-associate crustacean-associate millipede-associate centipede-associate insect-associate vertebrate-associate bird-associate mammal-associate reptile-associate amphibian-associate fish-associate plant-associate fungus-associate bacteria-associate virus-associate archaea-associate protist-associate algae-associate lichen-associate bryophyte-associate pteridophyte-associate gymnosperm-associate angiosperm-associate monocot-associate dicot-associate herb-associate shrub-associate tree-associate vine-associate epiphyte-associate lithophyte-associate rheophyte-associate hydrophyte-associate xerophyte-associate mesophyte-associate hygrophyte-associate sciophyte-associate heliophyte-associate pioneer-plant-associate climax-plant-associate disturbance-plant-associate successional-plant-associate ant-plant-protection-mutualism ant-plant-food-body-mutualism ant-plant-domatia-mutualism ant-plant-extrafloral-nectary-mutualism ant-plant-seed-dispersal-mutualism ant-plant-pollination-mutualism ant-plant-agriculture-mutualism ant-fungus-mutualism ant-bacteria-mutualism ant-virus-mutualism ant-nematode-mutualism ant-mite-mutualism ant-tick-mutualism ant-spider-mutualism ant-wasp-mutualism ant-fly-mutualism ant-beetle-mutualism ant-butterfly-mutualism ant-moth-mutualism ant-bird-mutualism ant-mammal-mutualism ant-reptile-mutualism ant-amphibian-mutualism ant-fish-mutualism ant-human-mutualism ant-domestic-animal-mutualism ant-pest-mutualism ant-crop-mutualism ant-forest-mutualism ant-savanna-mutualism ant-grassland-mutualism ant-desert-mutualism ant-wetland-mutualism ant-riverine-mutualism ant-riparian-mutualism ant-montane-mutualism ant-lowland-mutualism ant-coastal-mutualism ant-island-mutualism ant-continental-mutualism ant-tropical-mutualism ant-temperate-mutualism ant-subtropical-mutualism ant-boreal-mutualism ant-austral-mutualism ant-paleotropical-mutualism ant-neotropical-mutualism ant-afrotropical-mutualism ant-oriental-mutualism ant-palearctic-mutualism ant-nearctic-mutualism ant-holarctic-mutualism ant-pan-tropical-mutualism ant-cosmopolitan-mutualism ant-endemic-mutualism ant-widespread-mutualism ant-restricted-mutualism ant-rare-mutualism ant-common-mutualism ant-abundant-mutualism ant-scarce-mutualism ant-threatened-mutualism ant-invasive-mutualism ant-native-mutualism ant-exotic-mutualism ant-introduced-mutualism ant-naturalized-mutualism ant-feral-mutualism ant-urban-mutualism ant-rural-mutualism ant-agricultural-mutualism ant-natural-mutualism ant-anthropogenic-mutualism ant-pristine-mutualism ant-degraded-mutualism ant-restored-mutualism ant-conserved-mutualism ant-managed-mutualism ant-sustainable-mutualism ant-unsustainable-mutualism ant-resilient-mutualism ant-fragile-mutualism ant-robust-mutualism ant-vulnerable-mutualism ant-resistant-mutualism ant-susceptible-mutualism ant-tolerant-mutualism ant-intolerant-mutualism ant-flexible-mutualism ant-inflexible-mutualism ant-plastic-mutualism ant-canalized-mutualism ant-adaptive-mutualism ant-maladaptive-mutualism ant-optimal-mutualism ant-suboptimal-mutualism ant-efficient-mutualism ant-inefficient-mutualism ant-productive-mutualism ant-unproductive-mutualism ant-successful-mutualism ant-unsuccessful-mutualism ant-stable-mutualism ant-unstable-mutualism ant-persistent-mutualism ant-transient-mutualism ant-obligate-mutualism ant-facultative-mutualism ant-specific-mutualism ant-generalized-mutualism ant-exclusive-mutualism ant-non-exclusive-mutualism ant-symbiotic-mutualism ant-non-symbiotic-mutualism ant-trophic-mutualism ant-defensive-mutualism ant-dispersive-mutualism ant-pollination-mutualism ant-agriculture-mutualism ant-construction-mutualism ant-nutrient-mutualism ant-protection-mutualism ant-cleaning-mutualism ant-transport-mutualism ant-storage-mutualism ant-processing-mutualism ant-consumption-mutualism ant-production-mutualism ant-exchange-mutualism ant-reciprocity-mutualism ant-by-product-mutualism ant-investment-mutualism ant-harvest-mutualism ant-cultivation-mutualism ant-domestication-mutualism ant-selection-mutualism ant-breeding-mutualism ant-engineering-mutualism ant-modification-mutualism ant-creation-mutualism ant-destruction-mutualism ant-transformation-mutualism ant-conversion-mutualism ant-utilization-mutualism ant-exploitation-mutualism ant-cooperation-mutualism ant-competition-mutualism ant-conflict-mutualism ant-resolution-mutualism ant-negotiation-mutualism ant-communication-mutualism ant-signal-mutualism ant-cue-mutualism ant-information-mutualism ant-knowledge-mutualism ant-learning-mutualism ant-memory-mutualism ant-cognition-mutualism ant-intelligence-mutualism ant-decision-mutualism ant-choice-mutualism ant-preference-mutualism ant-motivation-mutualism ant-emotion-mutualism ant-stress-mutualism ant-welfare-mutualism ant-health-mutualism ant-disease-mutualism ant-immunity-mutualism ant-resistance-mutualism ant-tolerance-mutualism ant-recovery-mutualism ant-healing-mutualism ant-therapy-mutualism ant-medicine-mutualism ant-prevention-mutualism ant-security-mutualism ant-safety-mutualism ant-risk-mutualism ant-hazard-mutualism ant-threat-mutualism ant-danger-mutualism ant-damage-mutualism ant-injury-mutualism ant-death-mutualism ant-mortality-mutualism ant-survival-mutualism ant-longevity-mutualism ant-reproduction-mutualism ant-fertility-mutualism ant-fecundity-mutualism ant-sterility-mutualism ant-virginity-mutualism ant-mating-mutualism ant-copulation-mutualism ant-insemination-mutualism ant-fertilization-mutualism ant-egg-mutualism ant-laying-mutualism ant-incubation-mutualism ant-hatching-mutualism ant-emergence-mutualism ant-eclosion-mutualism ant-molting-mutualism ant-ecdysis-mutualism ant-metamorphosis-mutualism ant-development-mutualism ant-growth-mutualism ant-differentiation-mutualism ant-maturation-mutualism ant-aging-mutualism ant-senescence-mutualism ant-decomposition-mutualism ant-recycling-mutualism ant-energy-mutualism ant-carbon-mutualism ant-nitrogen-mutualism ant-phosphorus-mutualism ant-sulfur-mutualism ant-water-mutualism ant-oxygen-mutualism ant-hydrogen-mutualism ant-mineral-mutualism ant-vitamin-mutualism ant-hormone-mutualism ant-enzyme-mutualism ant-protein-mutualism ant-lipid-mutualism ant-carbohydrate-mutualism ant-nucleic-acid-mutualism ant-DNA-mutualism ant-RNA-mutualism ant-gene-mutualism ant-genome-mutualism ant-chromosome-mutualism ant-cell-mutualism ant-tissue-mutualism ant-organ-mutualism ant-system-mutualism ant-organism-mutualism ant-individual-mutualism ant-colony-mutualism ant-population-mutualism ant-species-mutualism ant-genus-mutualism ant-family-mutualism ant-order-mutualism ant-class-mutualism ant-phylum-mutualism ant-kingdom-mutualism ant-domain-mutualism ant-life-mutualism ant-earth-mutualism ant-universe-mutualism
Drosophila falleni
Drosophila falleni is a mycophagous fruit fly native to northeastern North America. It specializes in feeding on the fruiting bodies of diverse fungal genera. The species serves as a host for the parasitic nematode Howardula aoronymphium, which manipulates host olfactory behavior. Its genome was sequenced in 2019 to study immune system evolution.
mycophagy fungivory host-parasite-interaction olfactory-behavior parasite-manipulation Drosophila-quinaria-group
Ixodes affinis
Ixodes affinis is a hard-bodied tick species distributed across the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Unlike its congener Ixodes scapularis, this species does not bite humans but serves as a competent vector for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Immature stages feed on birds and small mammals, while adults parasitize larger mammals including deer and dogs. Its expanding range into southeastern Virginia and association with migratory birds has raised concerns about its role in pathogen dispersal.
tick vector Lyme-disease Borrelia-burgdorferi avian-host range-expansion southeastern-United-States Mexico Central-America non-human-biting enzootic-maintenance co-feeding migratory-birds Ixodidae Acari parasite three-host-tick questing-behavior wildlife-disease-ecology forest-habitat dog-parasite white-tailed-deer Carolina-wren white-throated-sparrow Old-Dominion-University-Tick-Team Holly-Gaff Erin-Heller molecular-identification DNA-sequencing engorged-specimen-identification pine-plantation rural-Yucatán hunting-dogs Tixméhuac Opichén seasonal-activity laboratory-rearing immature-stages larva nymph adult pathogen-dispersal climate-change habitat-fragmentation suburbanization deer-population acorn-masting small-mammal-reservoir Borrelia-miyamotoi co-infection tick-borne-disease public-health veterinary-parasitology medical-entomology vector-ecology host-parasite-interaction bird-migration long-distance-dispersal boreal-forest Canada Manitoba Swainson's-thrush Catharus-ustulatus migratory-bird ground-foraging-bird passerine songbird brown-thrasher eastern-towhee American-robin northern-cardinal marsh-rice-rat cotton-mouse eastern-gray-squirrel raccoon southern-short-tailed-shrew eastern-mole white-footed-mouse Peromyscus-leucopus chipmunk Tamias oak-masting Quercus forest-floor questing-height humidity-preference winter-activity tick-removal tick-testing tick-borne-illness-prevention DEET permethrin tick-inspection tick-avoidance AIR-protocol Arachnida Parasitiformes Chelicerata Eukaryota Metazoa Animalia Arthropoda Ixodida hard-tick ixodid Neumann-1899 taxonomy systematics dorsal-scutum capitulum hypostome palps spiracular-plates festoons ornate inornate idiosoma gnathosoma podon scutum alloscutum basis-capituli cornua porose-areas sclerotized cuticle setae sensilla Haller's-organ tarsus claws pulvilli scutum-shape punctations grooves coxae trochanters femora genua tibiae tarsi pretarsi adanal-plates accessory-plates spiracles tracheae salivary-glands midgut Malpighian-tubules reproductive-system ovary testis genital-aperture anus preanal-groove postanal-groove subanal-plates paranal-plates marginal-grooves pseudoscutum scapulars cervical-grooves punctate reticulate shagreened wrinkled smooth glabrous setiferous pilose hispid granular mammillated tuberculate carinated sulcate striate costate lineate punctate-striate reticulate-punctate IXO_aff NCBI:txid GBIF:species Catalogue-of-Life:species iNaturalist:taxon Wikipedia:species Ixodes affinis bird-tick deer-tick dog-tick rabbit-tick shrew-tick mole-tick mouse-tick rat-tick squirrel-tick raccoon-tick wren-tick thrasher-tick robin-tick towhee-tick cardinal-tick sparrow-tick thrush-tick migratory-tick invasive-tick expanding-range emerging-vector cryptic-species species-complex morphological-identification DNA-barcoding COI 16S ITS2 tick-microbiome pathogen-detection Borrelia spirochete zoonosis vector-competence reservoir-competence enzootic-cycle epizootic spillover bridge-vector amplifying-host reservoir-host maintenance-host incidental-host dead-end-host host-specificity host-range host-switching host-race ecological-fitting niche-expansion range-shift phenology diapause overwintering survival mortality fecundity reproductive-output egg-mass oviposition eclosion molting ecdysis instar stadium developmental-time generation-time life-span longevity population-dynamics abundance prevalence intensity aggregation negative-binomial zero-inflated spatial-distribution temporal-distribution habitat-association microhabitat vegetation-type forest-type successional-stage edge-effect fragmentation connectivity matrix corridor patch landscape-ecology geographic-information-system remote-sensing modeling distribution-modeling ecological-niche-modeling MaxEnt BIOMOD climate-envelope bioclimatic-variables temperature precipitation humidity saturation-deficit vapor-pressure-deficit evapotranspiration seasonality phenology-mismatch global-warming extreme-weather drought flood phenological-shift range-contraction poleward-shift elevation-shift altitudinal-gradient latitudinal-gradient continental insular endemic cosmopolitan pantropical holarctic nearctic neotropical palearctic afrotropical oriental australasian oceanian antarctic biogeography phylogeography population-genetics gene-flow genetic-structure isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment adaptive-evolution local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity cryptic-diversity species-delimitation integrative-taxonomy morphometrics geometric-morphometrics traditional-morphometrics landmark outline semilandmark character-matrix phylogeny classification nomenclature type-specimen holotype paratype syntype lectotype neotype original-description redescription emendation synonymy homonymy priority validity availability published-work ZooBank LSID URN DOI ORCID author year journal volume issue pages figure plate map drawing photograph SEM TEM light-microscopy confocal-microscopy microCT scanning-electron-microscopy transmission-electron-microscopy histology immunohistochemistry in-situ-hybridization PCR qPCR RT-PCR ddPCR sequencing Sanger next-generation Illumina PacBio Oxford-Nanopore genome transcriptome proteome metabolome microbiome virome bacteriome fungome parasitome holobiont symbiosis mutualism commensalism parasitism pathogenesis virulence transmission vectorial-capacity basic-reproduction-number R0 force-of-infection incidence seroprevalence case-fatality-rate morbidity disability-adjusted-life-year DALY quality-adjusted-life-year QALY cost-effectiveness economic-burden public-health-burden veterinary-burden agricultural-impact wildlife-impact conservation biodiversity ecosystem-service disservice One-Health EcoHealth Planetary-Health integrated-pest-management IPM vector-control acaricide insecticide resistance insecticide-resistance acaricide-resistance resistance-management rotation mosaic mixture synergist biological-control entomopathogenic-fungus nematode predator parasitoid habitat-modification environmental-management personal-protection repellent insecticide-treated-clothing picaridin IR3535 oil-of-lemon-eucalyptus PMD 2-undecanone spatial-repellent attract-and-kill push-pull surveillance active-surveillance passive-surveillance sentinel-surveillance syndromic-surveillance tick-drag flagging CO2-trap dry-ice host-seeking tick-collection specimen-preservation vouchering museum collection repository database GBIF GenBank BOLD NCBI ITIS EOL Wikidata Wikipedia ResearchGate Google-Scholar Web-of-Science Scopus PubMed MEDLINE EMBASE CAB-Abstracts Zoological-Record BIOSIS agricola agricultural-database veterinary-database medical-database entomological-database acarological-database tick-database Ixodes-database Lyme-disease-database vector-database pathogen-database Borrelia-database spirochete-database ecological-database biodiversity-database observation citizen-science iNaturalist eBird Project-FeederWatch Christmas-Bird-Count North-American-Breeding-Bird-Survey bird-banding mark-recapture radio-telemetry GPS-tracking geolocator light-level-logger accelerometer stable-isotope isotope-analysis migratory-connectivity flyway migration-route wintering-ground breeding-ground stopover-site molt-migration irruptive-migration nomadism dispersal natal-dispersal breeding-dispersal seed-dispersal pollination trophic-cascade food-web food-chain trophic-level apex-predator mesopredator keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species flagship-species umbrella-species indicator-species sentinel-species bioindicator biomonitor environmental-monitor pollution-indicator climate-indicator disease-indicator health-indicator One-Health-indicator surveillance-indicator early-warning risk-assessment hazard-identification exposure-assessment dose-response risk-characterization risk-management risk-communication risk-perception risk-behavior protective-behavior preventive-behavior health-belief-model theory-of-planned-behavior social-cognitive-theory health-communication health-education health-promotion disease-prevention primary-prevention secondary-prevention tertiary-prevention screening diagnosis treatment antibiotic doxycycline amoxicillin ceftriaxone azithromycin prophylaxis post-exposure-prophylaxis vaccine Lyme-disease-vaccine tick-vaccine anti-tick-vaccine target-of-acquired-immunity tick-saliva salivary-gland salivary-protein immunomodulation immunosuppression anti-inflammatory anticoagulant vasodilator anesthetic cement-cone tick-attachment feeding-lesion tick-bite tick-borne-encephalitis TBE Powassan-virus deer-tick-virus Heartland-virus Bourbon-virus Colorado-tick-fever Rocky-Mountain-spotted-fever RMSF ehrlichiosis anaplasmosis babesiosis theileriosis cytauxzoonosis hepatozoonosis tick-paralysis tick-toxicosis alpha-gal-syndrome red-meat-allergy galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose sensitization IgE allergic-reaction anaphylaxis delayed-hypersensitivity immediate-hypersensitivity immune-response innate-immunity adaptive-immunity humoral-immunity cell-mediated-immunity antibody complement cytokine chemokine inflammation fever rash erythema-migrans bulls-eye-rash STARI Southern-tick-associated-rash-illness Borrelia-lonestari relapsing-fever tick-borne-relapsing-fever TBRF soft-tick Ornithodoros Argas Amblyomma Dermacentor Haemaphysalis Rhipicephalus Hyalomma Bothriocroton Cosmiomma Nosomma Anomalohimalaya Archaeocroton Cornupalpatum Compluriscutula Sternalixodes Trichotoixodes Scaphixodes Endopalpiger Eschariopalpiger Exopalpiger Pholeoixodes Afrixodes Ceratixodes Eschatocephalus Eternalixodes Lepidixodes Malayixodes Martarega Megalixodes Myrmixodes Nothoixodes Octoixodes Palpiger Partipalpiger Pilonyssus Proknekalia Pseudixodes Rhinixodes Samarixodes Xiphixodes subgenus species-group I.-ricinus-complex I.-persulcatus-complex I.-scapularis-complex I.-pacificus-complex I.-affinis-group I.-cookei-group I.-marxi-group I.-angustus-group I.-soricis-group I.-uriae-group I.-holocyclus-group I.-ceylonensis-group I.-granulatus-group I.-ovatus-group I.-nipponensis-group I.-persulcatus-group I.-pavlovskyi-group I.-ricinus-group I.-scapularis-group I.-pacificus-group I.-affinis I.-auritulus I.-australiensis I.-boliviensis I.-brunneus I.-cookei I.-cooleyi I.-cornuae I.-cornuatus I.-crenulatus I.-dammini I.-dawsoni I.-dentatus I.-diomedeae I.-domerguei I.-eadsi I.-eastoni I.-eldaricus I.-elongatus I.-eudyptidis I.-euplectropi I.-evansi I.-fecialis I.-festai I.-frontalis I.-galapagoensis I.-ghilarovi I.-gibbosus I.-granulatus I.-gregsoni I.-hearlei I.-hexagonus I.-hirsti I.-holocyclus I.-hoogstraali I.-howelli I.-hyatti I.-jacksoni I.-jellisoni I.-kashmiricus I.-kazakstani I.-kingi I.-kohlsi I.-kopsteini I.-kuntzi I.-laguri I.-latus I.-layingensis I.-lewisi I.-lividus I.-longiscutatus I.-loricatus I.-luciae I.-malayensis I.-marxi I.-maslovi I.-matopi I.-minor I.-monospinosus I.-moreli I.-moschiferi I.-muris I.-murreleti I.-myospalacis I.-nchisiensis I.-necromys I.-neitzi I.-nipponensis I.-nuttalli I.-ochotonae I.-okapiae I.-oldi I.-ornithorhynchi I.-ovatus I.-pacificus I.-pararicinus I.-pavlovskyi I.-percavatus I.-peromysci I.-persulcatus I.-pomerantzi I.-pterodromae I.-quadratus I.-raccoonis I.-rageaui I.-randrianasoloi I.-rasus I.-redikorzevi I.-ricinus I.-rothschildi I.-rotundatus I.-rubicundus I.-rugicollis I.-rugosus I.-sapeloensis I.-sarsi I.-scapularis I.-schillingsi I.-sculptus I.-semenovi I.-soricis I.-spinae I.-steini I.-stilesi I.-stromi I.-subterranus I.-tancitarius I.-tanuki I.-tapirus I.-tasmani I.-taylori I.-tertiarius I.-texanus I.-theilerae I.-thomasae I.-tovari I.-transvaalensis I.-trianguliceps I.-trichosuri I.-turdus I.-uriae I.-vandenbergi I.-vanidicus I.-ventalloi I.-vespertilionis I.-victoriensis I.-walkerae I.-werneri I.-woodi I.-zaglossi I.-zairensis tick-taxonomy tick-systematics tick-phylogeny tick-evolution tick-biogeography tick-ecology tick-physiology tick-behavior tick-reproduction tick-development tick-nutrition tick-metabolism tick-respiration tick-excretion tick-osmoregulation tick-neurobiology tick-sensory-biology tick-chemoreception tick-thermoreception tick-mechanoreception tick-photoreception tick-circadian-rhythm tick-biological-clock tick-seasonality tick-diapause tick-overwintering tick-cold-hardiness tick-desiccation-resistance tick-water-balance tick-cuticle tick-molting tick-ecdysis tick-growth tick-feeding tick-engorgement tick-blood-meal tick-digestion tick-salivation tick-saliva-composition tick-salivary-gland-transcriptome tick-salivary-proteome tick-pharmacology tick-toxicology tick-venom tick-paralysis-toxin tick-borne-pathogen tick-borne-virus tick-borne-bacterium tick-borne-protozoan tick-borne-helminth tick-borne-rickettsia tick-borne-ehrlichia tick-borne-anaplasma tick-borne-borrelia tick-borne-babesia tick-borne-theileria tick-borne-hepatozoon tick-borne-coxiella tick-borne-francisella tick-borne-bartonella tick-borne-chlamydia tick-borne-mycoplasma tick-borne-spiroplasma tick-borne-arbovirus tick-borne-flavivirus tick-borne-bunyavirus tick-borne-reovirus tick-borne-orbivirus tick-borne-coltivirus tick-borne-nairovirus tick-borne-phlebovirus tick-borne-thogotovirus tick-borne-orthomyxovirus tick-borne-arenavirus tick-borne-hantavirus tick-borne-paramyxovirus tick-borne-rhabdovirus tick-borne-bornavirus tick-borne-filovirus tick-borne-coronavirus tick-borne-poxvirus tick-borne-herpesvirus tick-borne-adenovirus tick-borne-papillomavirus tick-borne-polyomavirus tick-borne-circovirus tick-borne-parvovirus tick-borne-anellovirus tick-borne-dependovirus tick-borne-tenuivirus tick-borne-deltavirus tick-borne-hepadnavirus tick-borne-retrovirus tick-borne-lentivirus tick-borne-spumavirus tick-borne-metavirus tick-borne-pseudovirus tick-borne-hemivirus tick-borne-novirhabdovirus tick-borne-peribunyavirus tick-borne-phenuivirus tick-borne-bandavirus tick-borne-phasivirus tick-borne-tulasvirus tick-borne-orthonairovirus tick-borne-shavivirus tick-borne-sathuperi-virus tick-borne-salehabad-virus tick-borne-dera-ghazi-khan-virus tick-borne-hughes-virus tick-borne-farallon-virus tick-borne-punta-salinas-virus tick-borne-sapphire-II-virus tick-borne-zirqa-virus tick-borne-keterah-virus tick-borne-thiafora-virus tick-borne-erve-virus tick-borne-malsoor-virus tick-borne-tibet-virus tick-borne-qalyub-virus tick-borne-yogue-virus tick-borne-kasokero-virus tick-borne-lebombo-virus tick-borne-nyamanini-virus tick-borne-midway-virus tick-borne-tokar-virus tick-borne-absettarov-virus tick-borne-hypr-virus tick-borne-kumlinge-virus tick-borne-omsk-hemorrhagic-fever-virus tick-borne-langat-virus tick-borne-louping-ill-virus tick-borne-kyasanur-forest-disease-virus tick-borne-alkhurma-hemorrhagic-fever-virus tick-borne-powassan-virus tick-borne-deer-tick-virus tick-borne-heartland-virus tick-borne-bourbon-virus tick-borne-colorado-tick-fever-virus tick-borne-eyach-virus tick-borne-banna-virus tick-borne-seadornavirus tick-borne-great-island-virus tick-borne-kemerovo-virus tick-borne-lipovnik-virus tick-borne-tribec-virus tick-borne-chobar-gorge-virus tick-borne-wad-Medani-virus tick-borne-dugbe-virus tick-borne-crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever-virus tick-borne-nairobi-sheep-disease-virus tick-borne-ganjam-virus tick-borne-bandia-virus tick-borne-sierra-nevada-virus tick-borne-lone-star-virus tick-borne-severe-fever-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-virus tick-borne-huaiyangshan-virus tick-borne-guertu-virus tick-borne-Alongshan-virus tick-borne-wenzhou-virus tick-borne-wuhan-virus tick-borne-yongjia-virus tick-borne-chiba-virus tick-borne-natori-virus tick-borne-odawara-virus tick-borne-kowloon-virus tick-borne-tamanavirus
Myrmica incompleta
Incomplete Furrowed Ant
Myrmica incompleta is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, described by Provancher in 1881. It serves as a known host for the parasitic ant Formicoxenus provancheri, representing a documented host-parasite relationship within ant communities. The species belongs to the diverse genus Myrmica, which includes ants known for associations with various myrmecophilous organisms.
ant Myrmica parasite-host Formicidae North-America myrmecology host-parasite-interaction
Protomognathus
Protomognathus is a genus of myrmicine ants containing obligatory slave-making species. The genus includes Protomognathus americanus, which exhibits a "prudent" slave-making strategy characterized by minimal fitness impact on host colonies compared to more destructive slave-makers. Scout workers actively seek host colonies, and colony size influences both scouting behavior and host defensive responses.
slave-making-ant social-parasite myrmicine Temnothorax prudent-parasite scout-behavior host-parasite-interaction
Xenidae
twisted-wing parasites
Xenidae is a family of endoparasitic twisted-wing insects (Strepsiptera) comprising approximately 13 genera and over 120 described species. Members are obligate endoparasites primarily of social wasps and hornets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), though some genera parasitize other wasp families including Sphecidae and Bembicidae. The family exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: males are free-living with reduced forewings and functional hindwings, while females are neotenic, legless, and permanently embedded within their hosts with only a cephalothorax protruding. Molecular studies indicate substantial cryptic species diversity, with actual species numbers likely at least double current descriptions.
endoparasite strepsiptera social-wasp-parasite sexual-dimorphism neoteny cryptic-species host-parasite-interaction