Illuminating new host-parasitoid relationships of Apocephalus Coquillett (Diptera: Phoridae) parasites of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Mattie J. Gose; Christian Weinrich; Brian V. Brown; Andrew A. Forbes

doi:10.1080/00222933.2026.2652466

Back

Illuminating new host-parasitoid relationships of Apocephalus Coquillett (Diptera: Phoridae) parasites of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Illuminating new host-parasitoid relationships of Apocephalus Coquillett (Diptera: Phoridae) parasites of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Mattie J. Gose, Christian Weinrich, Brian V. Brown and Andrew A. Forbes

Journal of natural history, Vol.60(17-20), pp.963-971

05/04/2026

DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2026.2652466

View Online

Abstract

Some parasitic insects maintain associations with several different hosts, while for others the use of multiple hosts can lead to the evolution of reproductive isolation between different host-associated populations. Why some species tend to specialise while other closely related species stay generalists is an open question. The parasitic fly genus Apocephalus Coquillett (Diptera: Phoridae) contains both specialist and generalist species. One species, Apocephalus antennatus Coquillett, is recognised as a single, widely dispersed and highly generalist species that parasitizes many different genera of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). However, the species status of A. antennatus has not been investigated genetically and other putatively generalist Apocephalus have proved to consist of several cryptic specialist species, each with a more limited host range. To test for cryptic host-associated diversity in A. antennatus, we collected adult Lampyridae from across the eastern half of the United States and from Costa Rica and reared their Apocephalus parasitoids. We analysed genetic sequences, host associations and morphology to delimit putative species. Our results maintain the status of A. antennatus as a single species that attacks different firefly hosts, both nocturnal and diurnal. We did not recover A. antennatus from Costa Rica, but other Apocephalus in Costa Rica were more species-rich and appeared more specialised on lampyrid hosts than A. antennatus. Site of mating and host discrimination may be important determinants of whether phorids specialise or are able to use multiple different host species.

Host-parasite interactions

host specialists

parasitoids

Phoridae

Lampyridae

Details

Title: Subtitle: Illuminating new host-parasitoid relationships of Apocephalus Coquillett (Diptera: Phoridae) parasites of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
Creators: Mattie J. Gose - University of Iowa
Christian Weinrich - University of Iowa
Brian V. Brown - Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Andrew A. Forbes - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of natural history, Vol.60(17-20), pp.963-971
DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2026.2652466
ISSN: 0022-2933
eISSN: 1464-5262
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Grant note: University of Iowa's Integrated Biology Program, the University of Iowa Graduate Student Senate, and the Center for Global and Environmental Research (CGRER) Esther Chao
Funding for the collections used in this research was provided by the University of Iowa's Integrated Biology Program, the University of Iowa Graduate Student Senate, and the Center for Global and Environmental Research (CGRER). Esther Chao funded the field costs for Brian Brown and Emma Barretto. Evelyne Lennette funded Wendy Porras.
Language: English
Date published: 05/04/2026
Academic Unit: Biology; University College Courses
Record Identifier: 9985153359902771

Metrics

1 Record Views