First Record of the Elusive Ant Parasitoid Horismenus floridensis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Mexico and New Association with an Ant Host

Most eulophid wasps are primary parasitoids, mainly of endophytic insect larvae (Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, and Thysanoptera), but can also attack spider eggs, gall-forming mites, or nematodes. A few species are known to parasitize ants. Here we report on the occurrence of Horismenus floridensis (Schauff and Boucek) attacking Camponotus atriceps (Smith) in southern Mexico (Campeche), expanding the distribution for this eulophid species and the range of its potential hosts. We also provide an updated list of the Horismenus Walker species found in Mexico, which currently includes 21 identified species. This is the second host ant ever recorded for H. floridensis and the first reliable record of C. atriceps as a host for this eulophid wasp. The first host ant reported from Florida 35 years ago was the closely related valid species, C. floridanus (Buckley), erroneously synonymized at that time with C. atriceps (formerly, C. abdominalis (Fabricius)).

Automated summary

We report the occurrence of Horismenus floridensis attacking Camponotus atriceps in southern Mexico, expanding the distribution and potential host range for this eulophid wasp. This is the second host ant ever recorded for H. floridensis and the first reliable record of C. atriceps as a host for this eulophid wasp.