Hitchhiking meloid larva upon male Eulaema mocsaryi (Hymenoptera: Apidae): a new host cleptoparasite interaction in the Amazon rainforest

Abstract

The Amazon rainforest is one of the planet’s biodiversity hotspots, hosting a rich orchid bee fauna. The phoretic cleptoparasites of this bee fauna are largely unknown. We report for the first time the host–cleptoparasite interaction between Eulaema mocsaryi (Friese) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) and the first instar larva (triungulin) of a Tetraonycini meloid beetle. We review the host–cleptoparasite interactions of Tetraonycini with Apid bees in South America and discuss the ecological needs of the cleptoparasite. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.