Effect of Sequential Learning Experiences on Searching Responses and Sex Ratio Allocations of the Gregarious Insect Parasitoid, Cotesia congregata (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Lentz-Ronning, Amanda J.; Kester, Karen M.

doi:10.1007/s10905-012-9345-5

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…This parasitoid serves as a component of a model system for host-parasitoid interactions and insect immunology [20], [21], insect learning [22], [23], [24], and tri-trophic interactions [25], [26]. Here we characterized the male courtship song of C. congregata and examined the mechanism of the high-amplitude “boing” component with high-speed videography and synchronized audio recordings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and Generation of Male Courtship Song in Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

et al. 2013

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BackgroundMale parasitic wasps attract females with a courtship song produced by rapid wing fanning. Songs have been described for several parasitic wasp species; however, beyond association with wing fanning, the mechanism of sound generation has not been examined. We characterized the male courtship song of Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and investigated the biomechanics of sound production.Methods and Principal FindingsCourtship songs were recorded using high-speed videography (2,000 fps) and audio recordings. The song consists of a long duration amplitude-modulated “buzz” followed by a series of pulsatile higher amplitude “boings,” each decaying into a terminal buzz followed by a short inter-boing pause while wings are stationary. Boings have higher amplitude and lower frequency than buzz components. The lower frequency of the boing sound is due to greater wing displacement. The power spectrum is a harmonic series dominated by wing repetition rate ∼220 Hz, but the sound waveform indicates a higher frequency resonance ∼5 kHz. Sound is not generated by the wings contacting each other, the substrate, or the abdomen. The abdomen is elevated during the first several wing cycles of the boing, but its position is unrelated to sound amplitude. Unlike most sounds generated by volume velocity, the boing is generated at the termination of the wing down stroke when displacement is maximal and wing velocity is zero. Calculation indicates a low Reynolds number of ∼1000.Conclusions and SignificanceAcoustic pressure is proportional to velocity for typical sound sources. Our finding that the boing sound was generated at maximal wing displacement coincident with cessation of wing motion indicates that it is caused by acceleration of the wing tips, consistent with a dipole source. The low Reynolds number requires a high wing flap rate for flight and predisposes wings of small insects for sound production.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and Generation of Male Courtship Song in Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

et al. 2013

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“…The genomic organization of BV provirus in C. congregata as a macrolocus of proviral segments with other segments dispersed in the wasp genome has been analyzed (Bézier et al, 2013), as have host expression patterns of 88 C. congregata BV (CcBV) genes, 24 hours post-parasitism (Chevignon et al, 2014). In addition, C. congregata has served as a model system for host-parasite interactions and immunology (Beckage, 1998(Beckage, , 2008Harwood et al, 1998), tri-trophic interactions Barbosa, 1991a, 1994;Kester et al, 2002), and insect learning (Kester and Barbosa, 1991b;Lentz and Kester, 2008;Lentz-Ronning and Kester, 2013). In contrast to C. sesamiae, C. congregata includes at least two host-associated lineages that are not geographically isolated and can develop within both host species, yet they have significant reproductive incompatibility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Parasitic Wasp, Cotesia congregata (Say), Consists of Two Incipient Species Isolated by Asymmetric Reproductive Incompatibility and Hybrid Inability to Overcome Host Defenses

et al. 2019

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Parasitic wasps are highly diverse and play a major role in suppression of herbivorous insect pest populations. Several previously identified species of parasitic wasps have been found to be complexes of cryptic species resulting from adaptations to specific hosts or host foodplants. Cotesia congregata (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which has long served as a model system for host-parasitoid interactions, can be used for investigating the process of diversification among sympatric populations that differ in host and host foodplant usage. Two incipient species of C. congregata have been identified in the USA mid-Atlantic region, "MsT wasps" originate from Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) on tobacco and "CcC wasps" originate from Ceratomia catalpae (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) on catalpa. Both wasp sources can develop in either host species. Hybrids resulting from MsT♂xCcC♀ crosses are fertile, whereas hybrids from CcC♂xMsT♀ crosses are typically sterile. In this study, we compared relative expression in vivo of seven C. congregata bracovirus (CcBV) genes among MsT and CcC parental and hybrid crosses. Also, we established hybrid crosses between MsT and CcC wasps and four additional host foodplant sources of C. congregata. Patterns of relative expression in vivo of MsT and CcC CcBV genes differed; a few were not expressed in hosts parasitized by CcC wasps. Overall, relative expression of CcBV genes from MsT and CcC wasps did not differ with respect to the host species parasitized. Low or absent expression of CcBV genes was found in hosts parasitized by sterile hybrids. For the most part, the other four host-foodplant wasp sources were reproductively compatible with either MsT or CcC wasps and hybrid crosses with the alternative wasp source were asymmetrically sterile. Crosses involving CcC males or MsT females produced sterile hybrids that lacked mature ovaries. Cumulatively, results indicate that C. congregata is composed of two sympatric incipient species that can utilize multiple host species rather than several host-associated races or cryptic species.

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“…[31]), have served as models for parasitoid behavior [13,32]. Cotesia congregata is a model system for studying tri-trophic interactions [33,34], insect learning [35–37], insect immunology [38,39], and the genomics of symbiotic bracoviruses [40,41]. Courtship behavior of some Cotesia species has been studied to improve mass rearing in biological control programs (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary relationships of courtship songs in the parasitic wasp genus, Cotesia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Bredlau¹,

Kester²

2019

PLoS ONE

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Acoustic signals play an important role in premating isolation based on sexual selection within many taxa. Many male parasitic wasps produce characteristic courtship songs used by females in mate selection. In Cotesia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae), courtship songs are generated by wing fanning with repetitive pulses in stereotypical patterns. Our objectives were to sample the diversity of courtship songs within Cotesia and to identify e underlying patterns of differentiation. We compared songs among 12 of ca. 80 Cotesia species in North America, including ten species that have not been recorded previously. For Cotesia congregata, we compared songs of wasps originating from six different host-foodplant sources, two of which are considered incipient species. Songs of emergent males from wild caterpillar hosts in five different families were recorded, and pattern, frequency, and duration of song elements analyzed. Principal component analysis converted the seven elements characterized into four uncorrelated components used in a hierarchical cluster analysis and grouped species by similarity of song structure. Species songs varied significantly in duration of repeating pulse and buzz elements and/or in fundamental frequency. Cluster analysis resolved similar species groups in agreement with the most recent molecular phylogeny for Cotesia spp., indicating the potential for using courtship songs as a predictor of genetic relatedness. Courtship song analysis may aid in identifying closely related cryptic species that overlap spatially, and provide insight into the evolution of this highly diverse and agriculturally important taxon.

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Effect of Sequential Learning Experiences on Searching Responses and Sex Ratio Allocations of the Gregarious Insect Parasitoid, Cotesia congregata (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Cited by 11 publications

References 19 publications

Characterization and Generation of Male Courtship Song in Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Characterization and Generation of Male Courtship Song in Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The Parasitic Wasp, Cotesia congregata (Say), Consists of Two Incipient Species Isolated by Asymmetric Reproductive Incompatibility and Hybrid Inability to Overcome Host Defenses

Evolutionary relationships of courtship songs in the parasitic wasp genus, Cotesia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

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