Effects of ovarian fluid, venom and egg surface characteristics of Tetrastichus brontispae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on the immune response of Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Journal of Insect Physiology
E MengZhiMing Chen

Abstract

Although the importance of parasitoids as biocontrol agents has long been recognized, systematic studies of the physiological mechanisms are scarce, especially in those parasitoids that are able to successfully invade their hosts by activating host immune responses. This study explored this phenomenon by investigating the effects of ovarian fluid, venom and egg surface characteristics of Tetrastichus brontispae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on host immunity. The results showed that the injection of venom alone induced higher phenoloxidase activity, while a mixture of ovarian plus venom fluids provoked higher granulocyte and plasmatocyte spreading ratios, highlighting the role that egg surface characteristics may play in successful parasitism. After thorough investigation, the presence of a hemomucin homologue was documented on the egg surface (which was named Tetrastichus brontispae adipocyte plasma membrane associated protein-like, TbAPMAP-like), while the absence of polydnaviruses, fibrous layers and virus-like filaments was confirmed. The higher encapsulation index of eggs incubated with TbAPMAP-like polyclonal antibody demonstrated the protection of the protein against encapsulation. These results contribute to our understandin...Continue Reading

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