Abstract

RODRIGUEZ G, Jonathan; MONTOYA-LERMA, James  and  CALLE D, Zoraida. FIRST RECORD OF Attaphila fungicola (BLATTARIA: POLYPHAGIDAE) IN Atta cephalotes NESTS (HYMENOPTERA: MYRMICINAE) IN COLOMBIA. Bol. Cient. Mus. Hist. Nat. Univ. Caldas [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.1, pp.219-225. ISSN 0123-3068.

We report the discovery of individuals of the cockroach Attaphila fungicola within nests of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta cephalotes, for the first time in Colombia. The study was conducted in 35 nests excavated in the rural area of Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca. A total of 15 individuals, 10 females and 5 males, were found in the chambers where the symbiotic fungus, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, is grown. This first report extends the known geographical distribution of this species, which included only the United States and Trinidad & Tobago. These cockroaches probably reach the ant nests searching for a suitable microclimate for breeding, feeding or both.

Keywords : Cockroach; leaf-cutter ant; inquilines; symbiosis.

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