Florida Entomologist

Published by: Florida Entomological Society

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Florida Entomologist 89(2):135-140. 2006
doi: 10.1653/0015-4040(2006)89[135:FASCIA]2.0.CO;2

FEEDING AND SIBLICIDAL CANNIBALISM IN A MALE PARASITIC WASP (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE)

Leif D. Deyrupa, Robert W. Matthewsa, Mark Deyrupb

aDepartment of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

bArchbold Biological Station, Florida, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862, USA

Abstract

Melittobia digitata Dahms is a small parasitic wasp known for its lethal male combat but subject to controversy regarding the occurrence of male feeding and cannibalistic feeding in particular. Here we report our observations supporting siblicidal cannibalism. To test the ability of a male's capability to feed we smeared sugary dye on the wasps' mouthparts and observed the dye passing through the digestive system to produce colored feces, confirming that males have a complete digestive tract. To document siblicidal feeding we injected other males with water-soluble dye, and paired them with undyed males. Undyed winners that appeared to feed on dyed losers were monitored; dye was evident in their feces. Finally, to determine if males benefit from feeding, we compared the longevity of artificially fed and unfed males; fed males lived significantly longer than non-fed males (Mann-Whitney U test = 81.5, N1 = 26, N2 = 26, P < 0.001). We discuss possible reasons for the comparative rarity of siblicidal cannibalism and its fitness implications.

Resumen

Melittobia digitata Dahms es una avispa parasitoide conocida por sus combates letales entre machos pero que está sujeta a controversia respecto a la existencia de alimentación por estos in general, y canibalismo en lo particular. Se reportan aquí nuestros hallazgos en cuanto a canibalismo. Para probar la habilidad de un macho para comer se le unto una pasta azucarada coloreada en las partes bucales de la avispa. Se observó pasar a través del sistema digestivo para producir heces de color, confirmando así que los machos tienen un sistema digestivo completo. Para documentar canibalismo entre hermanos se inyectó a otros machos un colorante soluble en agua y se colocaron con machos normales. Se monitorearon los ganadores no coloreados parecieron alimentarse sobre los perdedores coloreados; el colorante era evidente en sus heces. Finalmente, se determinó el beneficio de alimentarse, comparando la longevidad de machos alimentados y no alimentados (artificialmente); los machos alimentados vivieron significativamente más tiempo que los no alimentados (Prueba U de Mann-Whitney = 81.5, N1 = 26, N2 = 26, P < 0.001). Discutimos razones posibles para la rareza del canibalismo entre hermanos y sus implicaciones adaptativas.

Keywords: Melittobia, kin selection, uneven sex ratios, male combat



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Fig. 1. A male of Melittobia digitata Dahms that appears to be feeding on a sibling male (Photo courtesy of Jorge M. González).

Fig. 2. Longevity of fed and unfed males of M. digitata at 30°C (dotted line and = males that were fed host hemolymph; solid line and • = males that were unfed).

Cited by

Robert W. Matthews, Jorge M. González, Janice R. Matthews, Leif D. Deyrup. (2009) Biology of the Parasitoid Melittobia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)*. Annual Review of Entomology 54:1, 251-266
Online publication date: 1-Feb-2009.
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