Size matters in insects – an introduction

Beukeboom, Leo W.

doi:10.1111/eea.12646

Cited by 70 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In general, larger insects outcompete smaller conspecifics in reproductive output and resource competition (Beukeboom, 2018). In general, larger insects outcompete smaller conspecifics in reproductive output and resource competition (Beukeboom, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Life‐history traits of the Whiting polyploid line of the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis

Leung

Zande

Beukeboom

2019

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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In hymenopterans, males are normally haploid (1n) and females diploid (2n), but individuals with divergent ploidy levels are frequently found. In species with ‘complementary sex determination’ (CSD), increasing numbers of diploid males that are often infertile or unviable arise from inbreeding, presenting a major impediment to biocontrol breeding. Non‐CSD species, which are common in some parasitoid wasp taxa, do not produce polyploids through inbreeding. Nevertheless, polyploidy also occurs in non‐CSD Hymenoptera. As a first survey on the impacts of inbreeding and polyploidy of non‐CSD species, we investigate life‐history traits of a long‐term laboratory line of the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) (‘Whiting polyploid line’) in which polyploids of both sexes (diploid males, triploid females) are viable and fertile. Diploid males produce diploid sperm and virgin triploid females produce haploid and diploid eggs. We found that diploid males did not differ from haploid males with respect to body size, progeny size, mate competition, or lifespan. When diploid males were mated to many females (without accounting for mating order), the females produced a relatively high proportion of male offspring, possibly indicating that these males produce less sperm and/or have reduced sperm functionality. In triploid females, parasitization rate and fecundity were reduced and body size was slightly increased, but there was no effect on lifespan. After one generation of outbreeding, lifespan as well as parasitization rate were increased, and a body size difference was no longer apparent. This suggests that outbreeding has an effect on traits observed in an inbred polyploidy background. Overall, these results indicate some phenotypic detriments of non‐CSD polyploids that must be taken into account in breeding.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Head width data were collected to infer whether body size differs between non-polyploids and polyploids, and whether it is a factor in any significant differences for lifehistory trait phenotypes as is often the case with insects (Beukeboom, 2018). Whereas gregarious parasitoids such as Nasonia spp.…”

Section: Head Width (Body Size)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Life‐history traits of the Whiting polyploid line of the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis

Leung

Zande

Beukeboom

2019

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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“…Indeed, we found that potter wasp offspring that reached pupation in cells with parasitized caterpillars had a lower body mass, suggesting that they will develop into smaller adults. The consequences of smaller body size for D. dimidiatipenne adult reproductive success have not yet been explored; however, body size is known to be related to adult fitness in many insects 30 . Specifically in potter and other solitary nest-provisioning wasps, larger females were shown to live longer, provision more offspring, and collect more and heavier food items in their nests than smaller females [31][32][33] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency and consequences of the collection of already parasitized caterpillars by a potter wasp

Segoli

Leduc

Meng

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Maladaptive behaviors reflecting a "bad" choice of habitat or resource have been widely documented; however, their persistence is often difficult to interpret. The potter wasp Delta dimidiatipenne constructs mud cells, in each of which it lays a single egg and places several caterpillars to feed its offspring. preliminary observations indicated that a portion of these caterpillars were already parasitized and contained the offspring of the gregarious parasitoid Copidosoma primulum. As a result, the offspring of the potter wasp often failed to develop. To characterize the distribution, frequency and consequences of this intriguing phenomenon, we surveyed potter wasp nests throughout the Negev Desert. Evidence for parasitized caterpillars (mummies) was found in ~85% of the sampled sites, in ~20% of previous years' nest cells and in ~70-80% of the same year's cells. The survival and pupal mass of the potter wasp offspring were negatively associated with the presence and number of parasitized caterpillars inside the cells. We concluded that the collection of parasitized caterpillars by D. dimidiantipenne is frequent and costly. The persistence of this behavior may result from limited discrimination ability against parasitized prey by female potter wasps, or by their limited ability to exhibit choosiness under field conditions.

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“…Extended life span would increase the possibility for BCA establishment and maintenance of control efficacy for longer periods of time. Similarly, larger size is correlated with long life span, and high fecundity and body size directly affects field dispersal and searching ability (Kölliker-Ott et al, 2003;Beukeboom, 2018). In mass rearing, size and longevity could be optimised by keeping the rearing temperature low.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of temperature on development, reproduction and size ofTrichogramma achaeae: implications for biological control

Chen

Sørensen

Enkegaard³

2020

Preprint

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The performance of biological control agents (BCAs) in outdoor crops is strongly regulated by ambient temperature. Understanding the thermal biology of BCAs and manipulating their thermal performance could improve biological control efficacy. In this study, the effects of temperature on several life history parameters (longevity, fecundity, development time, wing size) of the recently commercialised egg parasitoid Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja & Nagarkatti (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was examined. First, parasitoids were reared at 23 °C and tested in the laboratory at four constant temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30 °C). Results demonstrated that temperature significantly altered all above parameters. Second, developmental acclimation was applied to manipulate the laboratory performance. Parasitoids were allowed to develop at either of the above four temperatures and their performance were compared at 23 °C. Results showed that developmental acclimation had a significant impact on fecundity, development time and wing size but not on female longevity. Our results have implications for improving the performance of T. achaeae in mass production and for its application for biological control under different thermal conditions.

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Size matters in insects – an introduction

Cited by 70 publications

References 12 publications

Life‐history traits of the Whiting polyploid line of the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis

Life‐history traits of the Whiting polyploid line of the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis

Frequency and consequences of the collection of already parasitized caterpillars by a potter wasp

Effects of temperature on development, reproduction and size ofTrichogramma achaeae: implications for biological control

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