Parasitoid flies associated with bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in Argentina

Abstract

Both the identity and prevalence of parasitoid dipterans associated with bumble bees (Bombusspp.) in southern South America are little known. Between 2009 and 2017, a total of 2978 bumble bees wereindividually collected in 63 localities from 11 provinces of the country. After dissections, the presence of parasitoidswas observed in the native bumble bees Bombus pauloensis, B. bellicosus, B. opifex, and B. brasiliensis,plus in the exotic invasive species B. terrestris. A combination of both morphological and molecular analysisbased on the COI gene allowed the isolation of two species of Physocephala (Conopidae) and one of Helicobia(Sarcophagidae), expanding their host range and geographic distribution. The second instar larva of Helicobiaaurescens is described.