Abstract
The reproductive success of a male is limited by the number of females it can mate with. Thus, males deploy elaborate strategies to maximize access to females. In Nasonia, which are parasitoids of cyclorrhaphous flies, such reproductive strategies are thought to be restricted to competition among males for access to females in the natal patch. This study investigates whether additional strategies are present, especially the capability to identify which fly hosts contain adult females inside. Behavioural assays revealed that only one out of the four species, N. vitripennis, can distinguish which hosts specifically have adult female wasps, indicating a species-specific reproductive strategy. Results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses and behavioural data suggest that female-signature cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are used as chemical cues, possibly emanating from within the host puparium. Further assays indicated that N. vitripennis males can also detect differences in the intensities of female-signature CHCs, giving them the capability to seek out hosts with maximum number of females. This study uncovers a previously unknown reproductive strategy in one of the most widely studied parasitoid wasps.
Highlights
In most sexually reproducing organisms, male reproductive success is limited by the number of fertile females it can mate with [1]
Since parasitoid wasps usually mate in the natal host patch [9], short-range chemicals like cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can act as sex pheromones [15,16]
Our results show that the males of all four Nasonia species can detect parasitized hosts containing larval as well as adult wasps
Summary
In most sexually reproducing organisms, male reproductive success is limited by the number of fertile females it can mate with [1]. Male parasitoid wasps experience intense competition to access emerging females as mating is usually restricted to the natal host patch [8,9]. Since parasitoid wasps usually mate in the natal host patch [9], short-range chemicals like cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can act as sex pheromones [15,16]. The use of the complete CHCs profiles, as well as single compounds, has been shown to elicit behavioural responses These include branched hydrocarbons involved in mate recognition in Ooencyrtus kuvanae [17], in host recognition in Holepyris sylvanidis [18] and in Dibrachyscavus [19] as well as in Lariophagus distinguendus [20] as contact sex pheromones. The ability of parasitoid wasps to use vibratory cues has been demonstrated in the wasp Pimpla disparis [26] where such cues attract males to the gypsy moth hosts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
