 The parasites generally parasitize "L. malachurum" nests during the early spring when the foundress queens need to leave their nests unattended to forage.Other species enter guarded nests during the second brood cycle and kill the guard, as well all other present host individuals, before laying eggs in the brood cells.After oviposition, the parasite closes the brood cells to prevent the host female from returning and replacing the parasite eggs.