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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
An Optimized Protocol for Rearing Fopius arisanus, a Parasitoid of Tephritid Fruit Flies
Published on: July 2, 2011
Conopid flies (Diptera: Conopidae) parasitizing Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae,
Alex M Santos1, José C Serrano, Ricardo M Couto
1Depto. Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901.
Abstract:
Parasites of adult bees are almost exclusively flies and the most important of them are conopids. This note registers for the first time the association of species of Physocephala (Diptera: Conopidae) with Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius). From 26 females and nine males of the host species found dead inside trap-nests on the campus of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, 35 parasitoids were obtained belonging to nine species of Physocephala. The data show that C. analis is a host to several conopid flies, and suggest that such parasitoids can play an important role in population control of this bee species.
