Predation behavior by workers of Odontomachus bauri (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on Hermetia illucens (Diptera, Stratiomyidae).

Authors

  • Hugo Ribeiro Moleiro Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7938-8244
  • Edilberto Giannotti Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5614-9619
  • Viviani Cristina Tofolo Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v1i8.146

Keywords:

Adult fly, Ethogram, Fly larvae, Poneromorpha

Abstract

The most characteristic element of morphology of Odontomachus are the jaws of quick closing, adjustments to capture prey efficiently. Although easily found, there are few studies on the predatory behavior of O. bauri. The preys used in this experiment were larvae and adults of H. illucens. This study compared the frequency of behaviors of predation of O. bauri on larvae and adults of H. illucens and examined the sequence in which they occur. Two nests of O. bauri were collected and the ants were transferred to artificial nests. In the foraging arena, beside the nest, were offered the prey alive. The behaviors were filmed and their frequencies were calculated for building an ethogram and description of behavioral sequence. The calculations were made separately for each type of prey. Registered 81 behavioral acts grouped into 14 categories, and "inspect" the prey was the most common. In predation on adults was higher behavioral variation than on larvae. The behavioral repertory and sequence of predation of O. bauri do not differ much from other species of the genus. Workers had a greater interest in preying adult flies, but larvae were not used as food. The quick closing of the jaws was used in mutilation of body parts of the prey, something ignored in previous studies.

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Published

2022-08-01

How to Cite

Moleiro, H. R., Giannotti, E., & Tofolo, V. C. (2022). Predation behavior by workers of Odontomachus bauri (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on Hermetia illucens (Diptera, Stratiomyidae). Brazilian Journal of Science, 1(8), 7–23. https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v1i8.146

Issue

Section

Agrarian and Biological Sciences