{"title":"Choosing suitable hosts","authors":"Marcelo O Gonzaga","doi":"10.1002/fee.2682","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The parasitoid wasp <i>Hymenoepimecis bicolor</i> (Ichneumonidae) is able to manipulate the web-building behavior of its host, the golden silk orb-weaver <i>Trichonephila clavipes</i> (Araneidae). The host spider constructs a modified and complex web, which serves not only as a stable platform to suspend the wasp larva's cocoon but also as a barrier against hyperparasitoids and potential predators. Before depositing an egg on the host spider's abdomen, the <i>H bicolor</i> female immobilizes the spider by inserting its ovipositor – and releasing paralyzing substances – into the spider's mouth. Selecting a host of the proper size is essential: too small a spider may provide an insufficient source of food for the developing larva, whereas too large a spider may pose a serious risk during host interception and immobilization.</p><p>The attacking and subduing behaviors of polysphinctine wasps are not well known but may involve sophisticated sequences, including pulling a thread of the intended host's web with the foreleg, imitating struggling prey, to attract the spider (<i>Entomol Sci</i> 2009; doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8298.2009.00338.x) and waiting for an opportunity to attack while resting on the web's non-viscid barrier threads (<i>Naturwissenschaften</i> 2007; doi.org/10.1007/s00114-006-0177-z). The above-described direct attack behavior of <i>H bicolor</i>, however, is preceded by a short period in which the wasp hovers around the potential host. Would it be possible for the female wasp to correctly evaluate the risks and quality of their potential hosts with just a quick visual inspection? Are chemical cues involved in host selection?</p>","PeriodicalId":171,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment","volume":"21 9","pages":"410"},"PeriodicalIF":10.0000,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2682","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The parasitoid wasp Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Ichneumonidae) is able to manipulate the web-building behavior of its host, the golden silk orb-weaver Trichonephila clavipes (Araneidae). The host spider constructs a modified and complex web, which serves not only as a stable platform to suspend the wasp larva's cocoon but also as a barrier against hyperparasitoids and potential predators. Before depositing an egg on the host spider's abdomen, the H bicolor female immobilizes the spider by inserting its ovipositor – and releasing paralyzing substances – into the spider's mouth. Selecting a host of the proper size is essential: too small a spider may provide an insufficient source of food for the developing larva, whereas too large a spider may pose a serious risk during host interception and immobilization.
The attacking and subduing behaviors of polysphinctine wasps are not well known but may involve sophisticated sequences, including pulling a thread of the intended host's web with the foreleg, imitating struggling prey, to attract the spider (Entomol Sci 2009; doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8298.2009.00338.x) and waiting for an opportunity to attack while resting on the web's non-viscid barrier threads (Naturwissenschaften 2007; doi.org/10.1007/s00114-006-0177-z). The above-described direct attack behavior of H bicolor, however, is preceded by a short period in which the wasp hovers around the potential host. Would it be possible for the female wasp to correctly evaluate the risks and quality of their potential hosts with just a quick visual inspection? Are chemical cues involved in host selection?
期刊介绍：
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment is a publication by the Ecological Society of America that focuses on the significance of ecology and environmental science in various aspects of research and problem-solving. The journal covers topics such as biodiversity conservation, ecosystem preservation, natural resource management, public policy, and other related areas.
The publication features a range of content, including peer-reviewed articles, editorials, commentaries, letters, and occasional special issues and topical series. It releases ten issues per year, excluding January and July. ESA members receive both print and electronic copies of the journal, while institutional subscriptions are also available.
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment is highly regarded in the field, as indicated by its ranking in the 2021 Journal Citation Reports by Clarivate Analytics. The journal is ranked 4th out of 174 in ecology journals and 11th out of 279 in environmental sciences journals. Its impact factor for 2021 is reported as 13.789, which further demonstrates its influence and importance in the scientific community.
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