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Both the identity and prevalence of parasitoid dipterans associated with bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in southern South America are little known. Between 2009 and 2017, a total of 2978 bumble bees were individually collected in 63 localities from 11 provinces of the country. After dissections, the presence of parasitoids was observed in the native bumble bees Bombus pauloensis, B. bellicosus, B. opifex, and B. brasiliensis, plus in the exotic invasive species B. terrestris. A combination of both morphological and molecular analysis based on the COI gene allowed the isolation of two species of Physocephala (Conopidae) and one of Helicobia (Sarcophagidae), expanding their host range and geographic distribution. The second instar larva of Helicobia aurescens is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As elsewhere in the world, bumble bees play a vital role as pollinators in Uruguay, but knowledge on their health status is still limited. Between September 2012 and May 2013, 403 adult individuals of the two species of Bombus known for the country ( Bombus atratus, Bombus bellicosus) were collected in six localities. We found that 177 (119 B. atratus, 58 B. bellicosus) were harboring one or two types of pathogens, parasites, or parasitoids. Identification of these natural enemies carried out by morphological or molecular procedures revealed the presence of two species of Microsporidia [ Nosema ceranae (prevalence: 18.2 % in B. atratus; 44.9 % in B. bellicosus), Tubulinosema pampeana (prevalence: 13 % in B. atratus)], two species of Nematoda [ Sphaerularia bombi (prevalence: 40.4 % in B. atratus; 40 % in B. bellicosus) and an unidentified Mermithidae (prevalence: 0.8 % in B. bellicosus)], and one species of Diptera parasitoid (prevalence: 3.2 % in B. atratus; 4.2 % in B. bellicosus). Except N. ceranae, none of the other species have been previously reported in Uruguay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study for the analysis of hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax colonies occurring in nature in the species. Topics discussed include determination of colonies that contain parasitoids for colony fitness, factors that could limit the dispersion of hornets and need for understanding the invasion process in order to control V. velutina.