 The host association between Myrmecia and eucharitid wasps began several million years ago ; M. forficata larvae are the host to Austeucharis myrmeciae , being the first recorded eucharitid parasitoid of an ant , and Austeucharis fasciiventris is a parasitoid to M. gulosa pupae . M. pilosula is affected by a gregarines parasite that changes an ants colour from their typical black appearance to brown . This was discovered when brown workers were dissected and found to have gregarinasina spores , while black workers showed no spores . Another unidentified gregarine parasite is known to infect the larvae of M. pilosula and other Myrmecia species . This gregarine parasite also softens the ant 's cuticle . Other parasites include Beauveria bassiana , Paecilomyces lilacinus , Chalcura affinis , Tricoryna wasps , and various mermithid nematodes . 
