Reduction of Miltogrammine1 Cleptoparasitism by Male Oxybelus subulatus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)2

Abstract

The presence of male Oxybelus subulatus Robts. in the females' open nest entrances during provisioning activities significantly reduced the level of miltogrammine cleptoparasitism. Four miltogrammine flies successfully parasitized cells provisioned in the absence of the male wasp: Senotainia trilineata (Wulp); Metopia argyrocephala (Meigen); Macronychia sp.; and Phrosinella fulvicornis (Coq.). P. fulvicornis was not successful in parasitizing cells provisioned with the male present. Of the 361 cells examined, 57% contained O. subulatus larvae or pupae, 19% were infested with miltogrammines, 23% appeared to be destroyed by the ant Solenopsis molesta (Say), and 1% contained mold. Notes on the larviposition behavior of the miltogrammines are presented and discussed.