Early destruction of cockroach respiratory system and heart by emerald jewel wasp larvae

Abstract

In the 1880s, Henri Fabre was captivated by the "special art of eating", whereby a parasitoid wasp larva fed selectively on host internal organs, avoiding the heart (dorsal vessel) and tracheal system (respiratory system) to preserve life. In Fabre's words: "The ruling feature in this scientific method of eating, which proceeds from parts less to the parts more necessary to preserve a remnant of life, is none the less obvious"1. Subsequent investigators have reported the same for many parasitoid wasps2,3, including for the emerald jewel wasp (Ampulex compressa)4. Here it is reported that larval jewel wasps destroy the dorsal vessel and tracheae (respiratory system) in the thorax of their cockroach host (Periplaneta americana) at their earliest opportunity. Moreover, the broken tracheae release air into the host, which the larval jewel wasp inspires. An increase in larval chewing rate, cotemporaneous with the sudden release of air from the host's broken tracheae, suggests the larva taps into the host respiratory system to support its metabolism while rapidly consuming the host. VIDEO ABSTRACT.