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<p>We report the first detailed observations of the biology and host associations of <i>Gollumiella buffingtoni</i> Heraty,&#xa0;2004 (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), based on field and laboratory studies conducted in Central Japan. Pupae of <i>G. buffingtoni</i> were discovered in a nest of <i>Nylanderia flavipes</i> (Smith, 1874) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) located under a stone in a forest edge. Subsequently, the authors observed adult <i>G. buffingtoni</i> females ovipositing on the surface of leaves. The eggs hatched, and the emerging planida climbed to the apical tip of the egg. In the field, planidia were found attached to the mandibles of the worker ants, which suggests that planidia were phoretically transported to the ant nest. Within the ant nest, planidia attach to the ant larvae and enter their body just under the cuticle, where they overwinter. The naked pupae of <i>G. buffingtoni</i> were tolerated and transported by the worker ants. The worker ants assisted with emergence by removing the pupal exuvium. Newly emerged adults remained motionless for a short period before exiting the nest. Our findings constitute the first confirmed host record of <i>G. buffingtoni</i> that documents its complete life cycle and behavioral adaptations to parasitize an ant host. Prolonged larval development, behavioral quiescence after emergence, and worker-mediated assistance suggest a high level of integration into the host colony, likely mediated by chemical mimicry. These results contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary adaptations of ant parasitoids and highlight the need for further research on the ecology and host specificity of Eucharitidae.</p>

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Life history and host relationship of Gollumiella buffingtoni Heraty, 2004 (Hymenoptera, Eucharitidae, Gollumiellinae) with Nylanderia flavipes (Smith, 1874) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Formicinae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月5日

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  • Yu Hisasue,
  • Ren Kitazawa

摘要

We report the first detailed observations of the biology and host associations of Gollumiella buffingtoni Heraty, 2004 (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), based on field and laboratory studies conducted in Central Japan. Pupae of G. buffingtoni were discovered in a nest of Nylanderia flavipes (Smith, 1874) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) located under a stone in a forest edge. Subsequently, the authors observed adult G. buffingtoni females ovipositing on the surface of leaves. The eggs hatched, and the emerging planida climbed to the apical tip of the egg. In the field, planidia were found attached to the mandibles of the worker ants, which suggests that planidia were phoretically transported to the ant nest. Within the ant nest, planidia attach to the ant larvae and enter their body just under the cuticle, where they overwinter. The naked pupae of G. buffingtoni were tolerated and transported by the worker ants. The worker ants assisted with emergence by removing the pupal exuvium. Newly emerged adults remained motionless for a short period before exiting the nest. Our findings constitute the first confirmed host record of G. buffingtoni that documents its complete life cycle and behavioral adaptations to parasitize an ant host. Prolonged larval development, behavioral quiescence after emergence, and worker-mediated assistance suggest a high level of integration into the host colony, likely mediated by chemical mimicry. These results contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary adaptations of ant parasitoids and highlight the need for further research on the ecology and host specificity of Eucharitidae.