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Notes on spider (Theridiidae, Salticidae) predation of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex salinus Olsen (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), and a possible parasitoid fly (Chloropidae)

Journal Article · · Great Basin Naturalist; (United States)
OSTI ID:6944211
 [1];  [2]
  1. Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell (United States) Univ. of Idaho, Moscow (United States)
  2. Univ. of Idaho, Moscow (United States)
Spiders are known predators of ants. Pressure exerted by consistent spider predation can alter the behavior of ant colonies (MacKay 1982) and may be a selective pressure contributing to the seed-harvesting behavior of Pogonomyrmex (MacKay and MacKay 1984). The authors observed the spider Euryopis formosa Banks (Araneae: Theridiidae) capture and transport workers of the harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex salinus Olsen [Hymenoptera: Formicidae, Myrmicinae]) in southeastern Idaho. Additional observations revealed a crab spider of the genus Xysticus preying on P. salinus and the presence of a chloropid fly (Incertella) that may have been parasitizing the moribund prey subdued by the spider.
OSTI ID:
6944211
Journal Information:
Great Basin Naturalist; (United States), Journal Name: Great Basin Naturalist; (United States) Vol. 52:4; ISSN 0017-3614; ISSN GRBNAR
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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