A New Species of Rhinoleucophenga (Diptera: Drosophilidae) From the Brazilian Cerrado Biome Associated With Extrafloral Nectaries of Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae)

Author(s)

Vidal, M. C. ^[1] ; Vilela, C. R. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Denver, Dept Biol Sci, Denver, CO 80208 - USA

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Genet & Biol Evolut, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America; v. 108, n. 5, p. 932-940, SEP 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Rhinoleucophenga myrmecophaga sp. nov., a Drosophilidae species associated with extrafloral nectaries of Qualea grandiflora Mart. ( Vochysiaceae) and whose larvae are mostly predaceous on ants, is described from specimens collected in the Cerrado biome of Itirapina, state of Sa o Paulo, Brazil. Illustrations of imagos, male terminalia, and immatures are also included. This is the first evidence of dipteran larvae that are closely associated with extrafloral nectaries and that feed on visiting ants. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/13619-0 - Exploitation of ants-Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae) mutualism by Medetera (Dolichopodidae, Diptera)
• Grantee: Mayra Cadorin Vidal
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 11/18580-8 - Studies on Neotropical ants: interactions with herbivorous insects, behavioral ecology and social organization
• Grantee: Paulo Sergio Moreira Carvalho de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants