SIZE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADULT MALE CAENOCHOLAX FENYESI (STREPSIPTERA: MYRMECOLACIDAE) AND ITS HOST, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

摘要

A positive size correlation exists between the emerging adult male strepsip- teran parasite Caenocholax fenyesi Pierce and its host Solenopsis invicta Buren. Normally, one male C. fenyesi emerges per host, but superparasitism is found in a small number of hosts. Caenocholax fenyesi emerges most commonly from larger hosts, but males are able to complete development in all sizes of worker S. invicta. A preference by C. fenyesi for larger hosts has implications that favor its use as a potential biological control agent for S. invicta.