Abstract
The precise means by which socially parasitic gall aphids locate and exploit their hosts remain largely unknown. In this study, I investigated dispersal from natal galls by Tamalia inquiline aphids, both in terms of emigration from the gall, as well as the invasion of new galls induced by host Tamalia aphids. Experimental evidence, gained from sticky traps on the host plants, demonstrates that inquiline first-instar aphids are significantly more likely to exit natal galls than are gall-inducers. With the use of fluorescent tracking powder, a second set of trials confirmed that inquilines are capable of dispersing between galls on the host plant. These experiments reveal the locomotory capacity of Tamalia social parasites as a strategy for exploiting the galls of host aphids.
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Acknowledgements
I appreciate the critical reading and helpful comments provided by John Miller and Junichi Yukawa, as well as discussion and feedback from Chris Ivey and other colleagues and students in Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico.
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The author was supported by funds from a California State University Development grant, and a David and Helen Lantis Chair Award.
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Miller, D.G. Inter-gall dispersal in a socially parasitic aphid. Insect. Soc. 68, 367–370 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-021-00824-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-021-00824-6