Species of the phorid genus Apocephalus Coquillett are
known best as the ‘ant-decapitating flies’ that parasitize
sterile females of the family Formicidae.

[some species] parasitize a variety of other arthropods,
including beetles, bees, wasps and spiders.

Apocephalus borealis Brues 1924

Way of life. Larvae of this species parasitize a number of
hosts. The best life history documentation (Ennik, 1973)
is as a multiple parasite of three species of adult wasps
of the genus Vespula (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Larvae
pupariated outside of the host, and the pupal period
was extremely brief, lasting 2-4 days. Few wasps collected
outside the colonies were parasitized, and Ennik
suggested that the flies confined their activities to within
the nest. Parasitism rates were low, as only 5% of wasps
collected from four colonies were attacked. Further records
are rearings from a black-widow spider, and from bumblebees. 

Brown, Systematic Entornology (1993) 18, 191-230

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