How to escape from the host nest: imperfect chemical mimicry in eucharitid parasitoids and exploitation of the ants' hygienic behavior

Journal of Insect Physiology
Gabriela Pérez-LachaudJean-Paul Lachaud

Abstract

Communication in ants is based to a great extent on chemical compounds. Recognition of intruders is primarily based on cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile matching but is prone to being cheated. Eucharitid wasps are specific parasitoids of the brood of ants; the immature stages are either well integrated within the colony or are protected within the host cocoons, whereas adult wasps at emergence must leave their host nest to reproduce and need to circumvent the ant recognition system to escape unscathed. The behavioral interactions between eucharitid wasps and workers of their host, the Neotropical ant Ectatomma tuberculatum, are characterized. In experimental bioassays, newly emerged parasitoids were not violently aggressed. They remained still and were grabbed by ants upon contact and transported outside the nest; host workers were even observed struggling to reject them. Parasitoids were removed from the nest within five minutes, and most were unharmed, although two wasps (out of 30) were killed during the interaction with the ants. We analyzed the CHCs of the ant and its two parasitoids, Dilocantha lachaudii and Isomerala coronata, and found that although wasps shared all of their compounds with the ants, each wasp species ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 18, 2019·PloS One·Gabriela Pérez-LachaudJean-Paul Lachaud
Jul 14, 2018·Mobile DNA·Alexandre Freitas da SilvaGabriel Luz Wallau
Jun 12, 2019·Scientific Reports·Gabriela Pérez-LachaudJean-Paul Lachaud
Jul 27, 2017·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Thomas ParmentierTom Wenseleers

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