Glyptapanteles

Taxobox


image_width = 180px
image_caption = A caterpillar of the geometrid moth "Thyrinteina leucocerae" with pupae of the Braconid parasitoid wasp "Glyptapanteles" sp.
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Hymenoptera
subordo = Apocrita
superfamilia = Ichneumonoidea
familia = Braconidae
genus = "Glyptapanteles"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision ="G. demeter" (Wilkinson)
"G. flavicoxis" (Marsh)
"G. glyptapanteles" (Wilkinson)
"G. indiensis"
"G. liparidis"
"G. militaris" (Walsh)
"G. porthetriae" (Muesebeck)
"G. phytometrae" (Wilkinson)
"G. websteri"

Glyptapanteles is a genus of endoparasitoid wasp found in central and north America. [cite web|url=http://www.boldsystems.org/views/taxbrowser.php?taxid=7620|title=BOLD Systems Taxonomy Browser|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-14] The larvae of the members of "Glyptapanteles sp." are distinguished by their ability to manipulate their hosts into serving as bodyguards.

Reproduction

Female "Glyptapanteles" oviposit into caterpillar hosts. Species parasitized by "Glyptapanteles" include "Lymantria dispar" [cite journal|last=Marktl|first=Robert C.|coauthors=Stauffer, Christian; Schopf, Axel|date=October 2002|title= Interspecific competition between the braconid endoparasitoids "Glyptapanteles porthetriae" and "Glyptapanteles liparidis" in "Lymantria dispar" larvae|journal=Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|volume=105|issue=2|pages=97–109(13)|language=English|url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/bsc/eea/2002/00000105/00000002/art00005|doi=10.1046/j.1570-7458.2002.01038.x] , as well as "Chrysodeixis chalcites" and "Thyrinteina leucocerae" (both pictured). The caterpillar continues to grow and feed normally until the 4th or 5th instar, whereupon up to 80 fully grown larvae emerge from its body to pupate.cite news|url=http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/dn14053-zombie-caterpillars-controlled-by-voodoo-wasps.html?feedId=online-news_rss20|title=Zombie caterpillars controlled by voodoo wasps|last=Branc|first=Catherine|date=June 4th, 2008|publisher=NewScientist|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-04]

Behavior Alteration

After the larvae of "Glyptapanteles sp." emerge, the caterpillar takes up position near the cocoons of the pupae, arches its back, and ceases to move or feed. It will occasionally spin silk over the pupae. However, when disturbed, it begins to thrash violently. It has been demonstrated in experimental research (Grosman, et al.) that this behavior is to strike at and repel possible predators of the pupae, such as "Supputius cincticeps", thus improving their survival odds. That it is of no demonstrated benefit to the caterpillar indicates that this is an adaptation on the part of "Glyptapanteles". [cite web|url=http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002276#pone.0002276-Elliott1|title=Parasitoid Increases Survival of Its Pupae by Inducing Hosts to Fight Predators|last=Grosman|first=Amir|coauthors=Janssen A, de Brito EF, Cordeiro EG, Colares F, et al.|date=June 4, 2008|publisher=PLoS ONE|pages=3|language=English|accessdate=2008-06-15] Only about one in twenty non-parasitized caterpillars responded in this fashion. In 60% of cases, the parasitized caterpillars successfully warded off these potential predators. No longer inclined to eat, the affected caterpillar eventually dies. [cite news|url=http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2008/06/parasitic_wasp_turns_caterpillars_into_headbanging_bodyguard.php?|title=Parasitic wasp turns caterpillars into head-banging bodyguards|last=Yong|first=Ed|date=June 3, 2008|publisher=Not Exactly Rocket Science|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-04] Mortality rates for pupae not guarded by parasitized caterpillars were significantly higher. [cite news|url=http://www.life-of-science.net/zoology-and-botany/news/parasite-enlists-a-bodyguard-to-protect-its-pupae.html|title=Parasite enlists a bodyguard to protect its pupae|last=Hesselberg|first=Thomas|date=June 8th, 2008|publisher=Life of Science|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-04]

Mechanism

In the course of Grosman's research, it was discovered that not all larval "Glyptapanteles" emerge from their caterpillar host. One or two remain behind and active. Grosman has theorized that these larvae manipulate the host, foregoing their own chance at pupating in order to protect the brood.cite news|url=http://www.science.uva.nl/news/news.cfm/52F68A38-1321-B0BE-A4BAC4DA2626953B|title=Parasitoid turns host into bodyguard|date=June 4th, 2008|publisher=Universiteit von Amsterdam Faculty of Science News|accessdate=2008-07-04]

Bio-Control

"G. flavicoxis", "G. porthetriae" and "G. militaris" have been evaluated by the USDA as possible bio-control agents for containing the invasive gypsy moth population in the United States. [cite web|url=http://arsserv0.tamu.edu/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=406997&showpars=true&fy=2004|title=BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF GYPSY MOTH AND OTHER TREE PESTS AND QUARANTINE SERVICE FOR BENEFICIAL INSECTS: 2004 Annual Report|last= Fuester|first=Roger|coauthors=Schaefer, Paul; Ertle, Lawrence|date=2004|publisher=USDA Agricultural Research Service|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-14] [cite web|url=http://www.main.nc.us/SERAMBO/BControl/gypsy.html#9397|title=Biological Control of The Gypsy Moth: An Overview|last=Reardon|first=Richard C.|publisher=USDA Forest Service|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-14] Research has indicated that "Pseudaletia unipuncta" hosts fed fresh "Lolium perenne" leaves are optimal for the mass-breeding of "G. militaris". [cite journal|last=Reis|first=Joana|coauthors=Oliveira, Luísa; Garcia, Patricia|date=February 2003|title=Effects of the Larval Diet of "Pseudaletia unipuncta" (Lepi doptera: Noctuidae) on the Performance of the Parasitoid "Glyptapanteles militaris" (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)|journal=Environmental Entomology|publisher=BioOne|volume=32|issue=1|pages=180–186|language=English|url=http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-pdf&doi=10.1603%2F0046-225X%282003%29032%5B0180%3AEOTLDO%5D2.0.CO%3B2|doi=10.1603/0046-225X(2003)032 [0180:EOTLDO] 2.0.CO;2]

External Links & Media

* [http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchFirstRepresentation.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002276.s001 Video] - A parasitized caterpillar, bent over the parasitoid pupae that have egressed from it, defends itself and the parasitoid pupae against a predator with violent head-swings, resulting in the predator being knocked off the twig.

* [http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchFirstRepresentation.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002276.s002 Video] - A non-parasitized caterpillar hardly responds to a predator.

* [http://www.insectimages.org/browse/subimages.cfm?SUB=20662 Photographs] of "Glyptapanteles phytometrae" in cocoon, larval, and pupal phases.

* [http://www.boldsystems.org/views/taxbrowser.php?taxid=7620 Photographs] of adult specimens at BOLD Systems Taxonomy Browser.

*Taxonomic information at [http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/92993 UniProt Consortium] and [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?lvl=0&id=92993 NCBI] .

References

ee also

*"Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga", a species of parasitoid wasp with similar larval ability to manipulate hosts to its own ends.
*"Amuplex compressa", or the "Emerald cockroach wasp", a wasp capable of debilitating cockroaches into serving as docile hosts for its eggs.