Notes on the Biology and Behaviour of the Jewel Wasp,Ampulex compressa(Fabricius, 1781) (Hymenoptera; Ampulicidae), in the Laboratory, Including First Record of Gregarious Reproduction

Fox, Eduardo Gonçalves Paterson; Bressan-Nascimento, Suzete; Eizemberg, Roberto

doi:10.3157/021.120.0412

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…First and second larval instars are well described as ectoparasitoid (Fox et al 2006;Haspel et al 2005). However, we find that, in our colony, the third and last instar, is found exclusively inside the host, which is contradictory to previous reports, despite agreement on body and mandible morphology (Fox et al 2009;Fox et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Development and morphology of A. compressa immature stages has been described previously (Fox et al 2009;Fox et al 2006;Haspel et al 2005;Veltman and Wilhelm 1991). Our findings in the present study indicate that developmental timing is more rapid than previously reported, though expected, in that our rearing conditions were 2-3 ºC warmer (Fox et al 2009). Sexual dimorphism also was observed with respect to developmental timing, though this was not found to be statistically significant (Fox et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Our findings in the present study indicate that developmental timing is more rapid than previously reported, though expected, in that our rearing conditions were 2-3 ºC warmer (Fox et al 2009). Sexual dimorphism also was observed with respect to developmental timing, though this was not found to be statistically significant (Fox et al 2009). Sexual dimorphism was also suggested as a means to pre-select males from females, though not formally addressed (Veltman and Wilhelm 1991).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

“…A. compressa larvae hatch approximately three days after oviposition (Fox et al 2009). The first instar larva pierces the soft cockroach cuticle near the base of the leg to feed on hemolymph.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life History of the Emerald Jewel Wasp Ampulex compressa

Arvidson¹,

Landa²,

Frankenberg³

et al. 2018

JHR

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The Emerald Jewel Wasp Ampulexcompressa (Fabricius) is an endoparasitoid of the American cockroach Periplanetaamericana (Linnaeus). Its host subjugation strategy is unusual in that envenomation is directed into the host central nervous system, eliciting a long-term behavior modification termed hypokinesia, turning stung cockroaches into a lethargic and compliant, but not paralyzed, living food supply for wasp offspring. A.compressa manipulates hypokinesic cockroaches into a burrow, where it oviposits a single egg onto a mesothoracic leg, hatching three days later. Herein we describe the life history and developmental timing of A.compressa. Using head capsule measurements and observations of mandibular morphology, we found that the larvae develop through three instars, the first two ectoparasitoid, and the third exclusively endoparasitoid. The first two instars have mandibles sufficient for piercing and cutting the cuticle respectively, while the third instar has a larger and blunter mandibular structure. During ecdysis to the third instar, the larva enters the body cavity of the cockroach, consuming internal tissues selectively, including fat body and skeletal muscle, but sparing the gut and Malpighian tubules. The developmental timing to pupation is similar between males and females, but cocoon volume and mass, and pupation duration are sexually dimorphic. Further, we show that the difference in cocoon mass and volume can be used to predict sex before eclosion, which is valuable for studies in venom pharmacology, as only females produce venom.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life History of the Emerald Jewel Wasp Ampulex compressa

Arvidson¹,

Landa²,

Frankenberg³

et al. 2018

JHR

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Egg-laying behavior and morphological and chemical characterization of egg surface and egg attachment glue of the digger wasp Ampulex compressa (Hymenoptera, Ampulicidae)

Gnatzy

Volknandt

Dzwoneck

2018

Arthropod Structure & Development

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Getting the Most Out of Your Zombie: Abdominal Sensors and Neural Manipulations Help Jewel Wasps Find the Roach’s Weak Spot

Catania

2020

Brain Behav Evol

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The parasitoid emerald jewel wasp (Ampulex compressa) subdues the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) with a sting to the 1st thoracic ganglion, followed by a sting to the roach’s brain, causing long-term pacification. The wasp then leads the cockroach to a hole where it lays an egg on the roach middle leg before barricading the entrance and departing. Although many aspects of the wasp’s initial attack have been investigated, few studies have detailed the egg-laying process and the subsequent fate of the larvae. Here I show that larval survival depends on precise egg positioning on the cockroach by the female wasp. Ablation of sensory hairs on the wasp’s abdomen resulted in mislaid eggs, which seldom survived. In addition, the cockroach femur may block the oviposition site. The wasp contended with this challenge with a newly discovered suite of stings, 3 directed into the 2nd thoracic ganglion which resulted in extension of the femur, thus exposing the oviposition site and removing a potential barrier to the wasp’s successful reproduction. When the femur was glued in place, the wasp stung the cockroach over 100 times, in an apparent fixed action pattern triggered by the obscured oviposition target. These findings highlight the importance of proper egg placement by the wasp, and reveal sensors and new neural manipulations that facilitate the process.

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Notes on the Biology and Behaviour of the Jewel Wasp,Ampulex compressa(Fabricius, 1781) (Hymenoptera; Ampulicidae), in the Laboratory, Including First Record of Gregarious Reproduction

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

Life History of the Emerald Jewel Wasp Ampulex compressa

Life History of the Emerald Jewel Wasp Ampulex compressa

Egg-laying behavior and morphological and chemical characterization of egg surface and egg attachment glue of the digger wasp Ampulex compressa (Hymenoptera, Ampulicidae)

Getting the Most Out of Your Zombie: Abdominal Sensors and Neural Manipulations Help Jewel Wasps Find the Roach’s Weak Spot

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