Scientific note: Phoretic interaction between Antherophagus (Coleoptera) and Bombus funebris (Hymenoptera), using Chuquiraga jussieui (Asteraceae) as transfer stations in the páramos.

Martel, Carlos; Cifuentes, Laura; Cuesta, Francisco; Stevenson, Philip C.; Tovar, Carolina

Scientific note: Phoretic interaction between Antherophagus (Coleoptera) and Bombus funebris (Hymenoptera), using Chuquiraga jussieui (Asteraceae) as transfer stations in the páramos.

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Martel, Carlos

Cifuentes, Laura

Cuesta, Francisco

Stevenson, Philip C.

Tovar, Carolina

Date published

May 21, 2024

Abstract

Beetles of the genus are phoretic organisms that inhabit the nests of species. They migrate and colonize new nests using the same bumblebees as carriers. Although beetles from temperate Europe and North America are known to use some plant species to move between bumblebees, it is unknown which plants are used as transfer stations by neotropical . Here, we report for the first time how phoretic beetles of an undescribed species use the inflorescences of to transfer between individuals of in the páramos of Central Ecuador. Our observations are the highest records (at 4200 m asl) of a phoretic interaction performed so far.