Social parasites Parasitism

the large blue butterfly mimic , social parasite of ants.

social parasites take advantage of interactions between members of social organisms such ants, termites, , bumblebees. examples include large blue butterfly, phengaris arion. larvae employ mimicry parasitize species of ants, bombus bohemicus, bumblebee invades hives of other species of bee , takes on reproduction, young raised host workers, , melipona scutellaris, eusocial bee virgin queens escape killer workers , invade colony without queen. extreme example of social parasitism ant species tetramorium inquilinum of alps, lives exclusively on backs of other species of tetramorium host ants. tiny , weakened bodies, have evolved single task: holding on host, since if fall off, die.

in kleptoparasitism (from greek κλέπτης (kleptes), thief), parasites appropriate food gathered host. example brood parasitism practiced cowbirds, whydahs, cuckoos, , black-headed ducks not build nests of own , leave eggs in nests of other species. host behaves babysitter raise young own. if host removes cuckoo s eggs, cuckoos return , attack nest compel host birds remain subject parasitism.

intraspecific social parasitism may occur, in parasitic nursing, individual young take milk unrelated females. in wedge-capped capuchins, higher ranking females take milk low ranking females without reciprocation. high ranking females benefit @ expense of low ranking females.

parasitism can take form of isolated cheating or exploitation among more generalized mutualistic interactions. example, broad classes of plants , fungi exchange carbon , nutrients in common mutualistic mycorrhizal relationships; however, plant species known myco-heterotrophs cheat taking carbon fungus rather donating it.