1USDA-ARS, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502 USA.
2El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Apdo. Postal 36, 30700 Tapachula, Chiapas, México.
3Laboratoire d'Ethologie et Psychologie Animale, UMR.-CNRS. 5550, Université Paul-Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France.
The cuticular hydrocarbons of the eucharitid ectoparasitoid K. sulcifacies, and its host, the ponerine ant E. ruidum have been isolated and characterized. Both the newly emerged adult parasitoids (both males and females) and ant workers share the same cuticular hydrocarbons, . Hydrocarbons characterized include n-alkanes; monomethyl alkanes (3-Me to 17-Me); 3, X-dimethyl alkanes (X = 7 to 11); 5, X dimethyl alkanes (X = 9 to 11); 10, 14-; 11, 15-; 12, 16-; 13, 17-; and 15, 19-dimethyl alkanes; a series of monoenes (with cis (Z) double bonds at position 7 or 9); and a series of dienes with double bond locations still to be established. Carbon chain lengths for both wasp and ant range from C23 to C35. Unlike other eucharitids whose larvae are found on naked ant pupae, K. sulicifacies larvae are found on pupae inside cocoons and are protected from ant workers. The newly emerged adult wasps are not attacked by host ants, however, for periods up to three days. We suggest that the parasitoid adults are engaging in chemical mimicry to ensure their survival in the ant colony until they can escape.