How to escape from the host nest: imperfect chemical mimicry in eucharitid parasitoids and exploitation of the ants' hygienic behavior.

摘要: Communication in ants is based to a great extent on chemical compounds. Recognition of intruders primarily cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile matching but prone being cheated. Eucharitid wasps are specific parasitoids the brood ants; immature stages either well integrated within colony or protected host cocoons, whereas adult at emergence must leave their nest reproduce and need circumvent ant recognition system escape unscathed. The behavioral interactions between eucharitid workers host, Neotropical Ectatomma tuberculatum, characterized. In experimental bioassays, newly emerged were not violently aggressed. They remained still grabbed by upon contact transported outside nest; even observed struggling reject them. Parasitoids removed from five minutes, most unharmed, although two (out 30) killed during interaction with ants. We analyzed CHCs its parasitoids, Dilocantha lachaudii Isomerala coronata, found that shared all compounds ants, each wasp species had typical blends abundance was also specific. Furthermore, relatively few compared E. tuberculatum (22–44% components), these present low amounts. Wasps, only partially mimicking CHC profile, immediately recognized as alien actively Hexane-washed refuse piles, after thoroughly inspected initially ignored Being intruder may be parasitoids' advantage , allowing them quickly natal nest, therefore enhancing fitness very short lived parasitoids. suggest eucharitids take hygienic behavior nests.