Parasitoid Increases Survival of Its Pupae by Inducing Hosts to Fight Predators
Author Information
Author(s): Grosman Amir H., Janssen Arne, de Brito Elaine F., Cordeiro Eduardo G., Colares Felipe, Fonseca Juliana Oliveira, Lima Eraldo R., Pallini Angelo, Sabelis Maurice W.
Primary Institution: Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam
Hypothesis
Do braconid parasitoids induce their caterpillar hosts to behave as bodyguards for their pupae?
Conclusion
The behavior of the caterpillar host, induced by the parasitoid, significantly reduces predation on the parasitoid pupae.
Supporting Evidence
- Parasitized caterpillars performed significantly more head-swings to deter predators compared to unparasitized caterpillars.
- Removal of the guarding caterpillar resulted in a two-fold increase in mortality of parasitoid pupae.
- Parasitized caterpillars stopped feeding and moving after the parasitoid larvae egressed.
Takeaway
A caterpillar helps protect the baby wasps inside it from predators, but it ends up dying after the wasps grow up.
Methodology
Field experiments were conducted to observe the behavior of parasitized and unparasitized caterpillars and their effects on parasitoid pupae survival.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias in host behavior due to the experimental setup.
Limitations
The study may not account for all environmental factors affecting predation in natural settings.
Participant Demographics
Caterpillars of the geometrid moth Thyrinteina leucocerae and their braconid parasitoids Glyptapanteles sp.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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