Effects of parasitoid associated factors of the endoparasitoid Glyptapanteles liparidis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

The endoparasitoid Glyptapanteles liparidis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) injects polydnavirus and venom together with eggs into its Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) host larvae during oviposition. We studied effects of these parasitoid associated factors by means of g-irradiation-induced pseudoparasitization. The application of radiation for sterilization of female wasps as a tool to study interactions between parasitoid associated factors and the host is demonstrated in this paper. When wasps were irradiated at doses ranging from 24 to 96 Gy and then allowed to oviposit into L. dispar larvae, temporary sterilization was produced. On the first day post irradiation they laid 99% sterile eggs, but fertility recovered partially during the following days. Irradiation had no negative effect on the lifespan of wasps, but total fecundity was significantly reduced. Pseudoparasitization of L. dispar by irradiated G. liparidis caused prolonged larval development with supernumerary molts before pupation in females, and higher pupal weights in both sexes. Only 8 to 20% of pseudoparasitized larvae developed into adults; 20 to 33% died as larvae, 55 to 65% in pupae. Abnormities, such as precocious formation of pupal antennal pads in larvae or incomplete sclerotization of pupal cuticle occurred. Pseudoparasitization impaired the immune reactions of L. dispar larvae. Encapsulation of implanted plastic rods by hemocytes was reduced and hemolymph melanization was significantly suppressed 3 and 5 days post pseudoparasitization.

Keywords

• glyptapanteles liparidis
• parasitoid
• polydnavirus
• venom
• pseudoparasitization
• lymantria dispar
• gamma irradiation
• immune suppression
• larval development