Intraspecific variability in associative learning in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis

Koppik, Mareike; Hoffmeister, Thomas S.; Brunkhorst, Sven; Kieß, Melanie; Thiel, Andra

doi:10.1007/s10071-014-0828-y

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(54 reference statements)

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“…Contrary to the inter-population variability in memory retention observed in Nasionia vitripennis [59], memory lasted at least 51 h in both strains of V . canescens .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Cognitive adaptation in asexual and sexual wasps living in contrasted environments

et al. 2017

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Differences in learning and memory dynamics between populations are suspected to result from differences in ecological constraints such as resource distribution. The two reproductive modes (strains) of the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens share the same geographical areas but live in contrasting habitats: arrhenotokous wasps live in the wild (generally orchards), whereas thelytokous ones live mostly in stored-products buildings (e.g. granaries). This species thus represents a relevant biological model for understanding the relationship between the ecological constraints faced by a species and its memory and learning ability. We showed that after having laid eggs in presence of both a synthetic odour and natural olfactory cues of their host, arrhenotokous wasps exhibited a change in their behavioural response towards the synthetic odour that was at least as pronounced as in thelytokous ones even though they were faster in their decision-making process. This is consistent with better learning skills in arrhenotokous wasps. The corresponding memory trace persisted in both strains for at least 51 h. We compare and discuss the learning and memory ablities of both strains as a function of their costs and benefits in their preferential habitats.

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“…Contrary to the inter-population variability in memory retention observed in Nasionia vitripennis [59], memory lasted at least 51 h in both strains of V . canescens .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Cognitive adaptation in asexual and sexual wasps living in contrasted environments

et al. 2017

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“…Once a large population has been established, it can be kept under the right laboratory conditions. In particular, the innate ability to find hosts, the ability to learn to localize hosts, and memory retention differ between parasitoid species and populations (van den Berg et al., ; Geervliet, Vreugdenhil, Dicke, & Vet, ; Koppik, Hoffmeister, Brunkhorst, Kiess, & Thiel, ; Perez‐Maluf et al., ; Smid et al., ). This should be taken into account by choosing candidate agents with high searching ability or targeting these traits for artificial selection, as, for example, done by van den Berg et al.…”

Section: Step 4: Improve and Determine The Success Of The Parasitoidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of native biocontrol agents, with parasitoids of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii as an example

Kruitwagen

Beukeboom

Wertheim

2018

Evolutionary Applications

115

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The development of biological control methods for exotic invasive pest species has become more challenging during the last decade. Compared to indigenous natural enemies, species from the pest area of origin are often more efficient due to their long coevolutionary history with the pest. The import of these well‐adapted exotic species, however, has become restricted under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, reducing the number of available biocontrol candidates. Finding new agents and ways to improve important traits for control agents (“biocontrol traits”) is therefore of crucial importance. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a surprisingly under‐rated method for improvement of biocontrol: the exploitation of intraspecific variation in biocontrol traits, for example, by selective breeding. We propose a four‐step approach to investigate the potential of this method: investigation of the amount of (a) inter‐ and (b) intraspecific variation for biocontrol traits, (c) determination of the environmental and genetic factors shaping this variation, and (d) exploitation of this variation in breeding programs. We illustrate this approach with a case study on parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii, a highly invasive pest species in Europe and North America. We review all known parasitoids of D. suzukii and find large variation among and within species in their ability to kill this fly. We then consider which genetic and environmental factors shape the interaction between D. suzukii and its parasitoids to explain this variation. Insight into the causes of variation informs us on how and to what extent candidate agents can be improved. Moreover, it aids in predicting the effectiveness of the agent upon release and provides insight into the selective forces that are limiting the adaptation of indigenous species to the new pest. We use this knowledge to give future research directions for the development of selective breeding methods for biocontrol agents.

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“…As a consequence, results from highly inbred lines may yield strain specific results. Indeed, a comparison of four different strains of N. vitripennis, including homozygous as well as genetically diverse populations [43], and a panel of different isofemale lines of D. melanogaster [44] showed considerable differences in memory formation. Likewise, variation in learning was found between a sexual and asexual population of the parasitic wasp Venturia canescens [45], between individuals of different bumblebee colonies [46,47], and between genetically different worker bees [48].…”

Section: Evolutionary Aspects Of Prepared Learningmentioning

confidence: 99%

The complexity of learning, memory and neural processes in an evolutionary ecological context

Smid

Vet

2016

Current Opinion in Insect Science

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The ability to learn and form memories is widespread among insects, but there exists considerable natural variation between species and populations in these traits. Variation manifests itself in the way information is stored in different memory forms. This review focuses on ecological factors such as environmental information, spatial aspects of foraging behavior and resource distribution that drive the evolution of this natural variation and discusses the role of different genes and neural networks. We conclude that at the level of individual, population or species, insect learning and memory cannot be described as good or bad. Rather, we argue that insects evolve tailor-made learning and memory types; they gate learned information into memories with high or low persistence. This way, they are prepared to learn and form memory to optimally deal with the specific ecologies of their foraging environments. Highlights:• Environmental variation, spatial foraging behavior and the distribution of resources are factors that drive the evolution of differences in prepared learning • Considerable heritable variation exists in numerous learning and memory traits • Insects have evolved tailor-made memory types, adapted to the specific ecology of their foraging environment • The foraging gene is an important gene underlying natural variation in learning and memory • Dopaminergic signaling may drive the adaptive gating of information into different memory formsThe use of previous experience to optimize behavior in an adaptive manner is obviously of great benefit to all animals, including insects [1,2]. However, this does not mean that insects should learn and remember information from all possible experiences they encounter. Studies on diverse insect species have revealed the daunting complexity of different forms of memory each with different stabilities, including short-, mid-, anesthesia resistant-and long term memory (STM, MTM, ARM and LTM), e.g. [3][4][5][6]. In Fig. 1 we provide a basic description of these memory forms and their abbreviations. Why does learning not always result in the formation of LTM? To ensure the reliability of learned information, most animals require multiple, spaced experiences before information is stored as LTM. Nevertheless, some animals form LTM after a single experience suggesting that they may have evolved to rely on the Accepted in Current Opinion in Insect Science, CC-BY-NC-ND

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Intraspecific variability in associative learning in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis

Cited by 18 publications

References 40 publications

Cognitive adaptation in asexual and sexual wasps living in contrasted environments

Cognitive adaptation in asexual and sexual wasps living in contrasted environments

Optimization of native biocontrol agents, with parasitoids of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii as an example

The complexity of learning, memory and neural processes in an evolutionary ecological context

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