The adaptive significance of host location by vibrational sounding in parasitoid wasps

Broad, Gavin R.; Quicke, Donald L. J.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2000.1298

Cited by 75 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Pollinator fig wasps have a spoon-like structure in contrast to the sharp and long ovipositors with teeth-like projections at the parasitoid ovipositor tip that are probably adapted for oviposition. Earlier studies examined the ovipositor morphology in various parasitic Hymenoptera and suggested that many morphological features in ovipositor structures are matched to specific host types (Quicke et al, 1999;Rahman et al, 1998;Fawke et al, 1997;Broad and Quicke, 2000;LeRalec et al, 1996). These studies also showed the presence of transition metals, such as zinc, manganese and calcium, in the tips of the ovipositors using X-ray microanalysis.…”

Section: Research Articlementioning

confidence: 70%

“…Parasitoids patrol the fig syconia and tap the surface periodically with their antennae to locate embedded hosts within the substrate (Broad and Quicke, 2000). Through such a vibrational sounding behaviour the insect may use a combination of chemical and mechanical cues to identify a suitable substrate for oviposition.…”

Section: Parasitoid Wasp Oviposition On Fig Substratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biomechanics of substrate boring by fig wasps

Kundanati

Gundiah

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Female insects of diverse orders bore into substrates to deposit their eggs. Such insects must overcome several biomechanical challenges to successfully oviposit, which include the selection of suitable substrates through which the ovipositor can penetrate without itself fracturing. In many cases, the insect may also need to steer and manipulate the ovipositor within the substrate to deliver eggs at desired locations before rapidly retracting her ovipositor to avoid predation. In the case of female parasitoid ichneumonid wasps, this process is repeated multiple times during her lifetime, thus testing the ability of the ovipositioning apparatus to endure fracture and fatigue. What specific adaptations does the ovipositioning apparatus of a female ichneumonoid wasp possess to withstand these challenges? We addressed this question using a model system composed of parasitoid and pollinator fig wasps. First, we show that parasitoid ovipositor tips have teeth-like structures, preferentially enriched with zinc, unlike the smooth morphology of pollinator ovipositors. We describe sensillae present on the parasitoid ovipositor tip that are likely to aid in the detection of chemical species and mechanical deformations and sample microenvironments within the substrate. Second, using atomic force microscopy, we show that parasitoid tip regions have a higher modulus compared with regions proximal to the abdomen in parasitoid and pollinator ovipositors. Finally, we use videography to film wasps during substrate boring and analyse buckling of the ovipositor to estimate the forces required for substrate boring. Together, these results allow us to describe the biomechanical principles underlying substrate boring in parasitoid ichneumonid wasps. Such studies may be useful for the biomimetic design of surgical tools and in the use of novel mechanisms to bore through hard substrates.

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Section: Research Articlementioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Parasitoid Wasp Oviposition On Fig Substratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomechanics of substrate boring by fig wasps

Kundanati

Gundiah

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…This mechanism has been termed vibrational sounding, and may be widespread in Hymenoptera (Wackers et al 1998;Broad and Quicke 2000). This form of host finding by echo location is characterized by frequent drumming of the substrate with the antennae.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do acoustic cues mediate host finding by Syngaster lepidus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)?

et al. 2010

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Syngaster lepidus Brullé is a braconid solitary ectoparasitoid that attacks the larvae of the cerambycid beetles Phoracantha semipunctata and Phoracantha recurva. The beetle larvae are concealed under the bark of their Eucalyptus host trees feeding at the interface of the inner bark and the wood. Ovipositing female parasitoids search the bark surface and must first locate a host larva accurately, drill through as much as 1 cm of the bark in order to paralyze the larva beneath, and lay a single egg on the paralyzed larva. Female wasps were provided with logs infested with host larvae, in which the positions of the host larvae had been determined by X-ray imaging. The sequence of behaviors following the landing of a female wasp on an infested log was recorded on videotape and subsequently analyzed to provide a detailed description of the processes of host location and oviposition. Female wasps searched significantly more on log sections with active host larvae than inactive larvae. They also turned toward and moved in the direction of active larvae in response to sounds produced by feeding. While searching for hosts, female wasps stand on the log surface and walk towards the location of the larvae; while it is possible that they perceive both airborne sound and associated surface vibration, the vibration signals are probably more important in indicating direction and possibly distance to the host.

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“…This species is also the southernmost representative of Apechthis in the Oriental region. Although the columnar projections on the terminal antennal segment of females (Figs 7,8) was pointed out as a synapomorphy in Pimplini (Gauld et al 2002), relating to host-searching behaviour (Broad and Quicke 2000), it is also shared with the male of A. cantika sp. n. and thus this structure may serve other functions.…”

Section: Apechthis Cantikamentioning

confidence: 99%