Host ants and parasitoids of Maculinea butterflies in the Carpathian Basin and some social parasites of the ant hosts
Abstract
Larvae of Maculinea butterflies are obligate social parasites of Myrmica ant nests. The various butterfly populations often have different host ant species. A review is given about the known host ant usage of the Maculinea populations in the Carpathian Basin and about the other rare (e.g. ichneumon) species found with these butterflies and their host ants. Practical conservational suggestions are also given.
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