A neuropterous larva uses an allomone to attack termites

Abstract

Larvae of Lomamyia spp. (Neuroptera: Berothidae) have been tentatively associated with several types of prey since they were first identified¹. In all cases, the assumed prey lived in a confined habitat–an ant nest or termite gallery². Lomamyia latipennis Carpenter has been the most thoroughly studied of these unusual Neuroptera. The immature states were described^3,4 and the association with termites strengthened using Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) as prey for a group of larvae⁴. A low survival rate of the larvae suggested that another termite might be the normal host. We now report field and laboratory findings which demonstrate the predator–prey relationship between L. latipennis and the subterranean termite Reticulitermes hesperus Banks (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and describe their unique method of attacking prey with an aggressive allomone.