Comparison of the hemolymph proteins in permissive and non-permissive hosts of Euplectrus comstockii

Abstract

Parasitism by Euplectrus comstockii arrested larval–larval molting in both permissive (e.g. Helicoverpa zea) and non-permissive hosts (e.g. Diatraea grandiosella, Anagasta kuehniella and Ostrinia nubilalis). Parasitized larvae of both permissive and non-permissive hosts manifested a decrease in total weight gain. However, significant alterations of the putative storage proteins occurred only in the permissive host. Therefore, the venom of Euplectrus causes some, but not all, of the same effects in non-permissive hosts as in permissive hosts. Specifically, the ability of the venom to regulate molting was shown to be distinguishable from the ability of the venom to alter the protein titer in the hemolymph of a host. The fact that parasitoid eggs did not hatch on non-permissive hosts indicated that parasitoid development was impacted prior to feeding on the host and the presence of indigenous storage proteins in the non-permissive hosts supports the concept that storage proteins may not be for the direct use by the parasitoid.