First host record of stylopization of a worker ant, Ectatomma edentatum (Formicidae: Ectatomminae), by a Myrmecolacidae (Strepsiptera)

Journal article

Strepsipterans of the family Myrmecolacidae are endoparasitoid insects of ants distributed worldwide, except in the Palearctic and Antarctic regions. Despite this, knowledge about their host ants and the effects of this parasitism on their biology remains scarce. To fill this gap in Brazil, we used yellow pan traps in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in search of stylopized ants (i.e., parasitized by Strepsiptera). The present study records for the first time the observation of a stylopized worker ant of the species Ectatomma edentatum in Brazil and details the general behavior of stylopized ants. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of yellow pan traps as a collection method of stylopized ants and compare their functionality to previously employed methods.

Authors: Marambaia, AL; Delabie, JHC; de Oliveira, FF; Kathirithamby, J

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Frontiers Media
• Journal: Frontiers in Insect Science
• Volume: 6
• Pages: 1762540
• Article number: 1762540
• Publication date: 2026-02-05
• Acceptance date: 2026-01-16
• DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2026.1762540
• EISSN: 2673-8600
• ISSN: 2673-8600
• Language: English
• Keywords: Ectatomma; new record; Hymenoptera; stylopization; cephalotheca; Myrmecolacidae; Strepsiptera