Microplitis croceipes
Encyclopedia
Microplitis croceipes is a braconid
wasp native to Georgia
. It is an important parasitoid
of the caterpillars of Helicoverpa zea
(formerly called Heliothis zea) and of Heliothis virescens
.
M. croceipes uses its antennae to detect the odor of caterpillar feces
. The wasp deposits a single egg inside the caterpillar; as the wasp larvae mature they feed on the caterpillar, which weakens and dies after the larvae emerge and pupate. Adult wasps emerge from their cocoons about a week after cocoon formation.
Because the olfactory system
of M. croceipes is linked to its taste receptors, wasps can be trained to respond to the smell of an arbitrary chemical if the smell is repeatedly presented in association with food (sugar water or corn borers). The smell of "food" triggers a characteristic pattern of activity, a short-range host-seeking response. Researchers have said that M. croceipes has great potential for use as a biological sensor "due to its ability to be conditioned, respond and discriminate target odors from background odors." The Wasp Hound "portable nose" device depends on trained M. croceipes as its biosensor.
Braconidae
Braconidae is a family of parasitoid wasps and one of the richest families of insects. Between 50,000 and 150,000 species exist worldwide. The species are grouped into about 45 subfamilies and 1,000 genera, some important ones being: Ademon, Aphanta, Asobara, Bracon hebetor, Cenocoelius, Chaenusa,...
wasp native to Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It is an important parasitoid
Parasitoid
A parasitoid is an organism that spends a significant portion of its life history attached to or within a single host organism in a relationship that is in essence parasitic; unlike a true parasite, however, it ultimately sterilises or kills, and sometimes consumes, the host...
of the caterpillars of Helicoverpa zea
Helicoverpa zea
The larva of the moth Helicoverpa zea is a major agricultural pest. It can feed on many different plants during the larval stage. Accordingly, the species has been given many different common names. When the larva consumes cotton, it is known as the cotton bollworm...
(formerly called Heliothis zea) and of Heliothis virescens
Heliothis virescens
The Tobacco Budworm is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil and the Antilles. The wingspan is 28-35 mm....
.
M. croceipes uses its antennae to detect the odor of caterpillar feces
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
. The wasp deposits a single egg inside the caterpillar; as the wasp larvae mature they feed on the caterpillar, which weakens and dies after the larvae emerge and pupate. Adult wasps emerge from their cocoons about a week after cocoon formation.
Because the olfactory system
Olfactory system
The olfactory system is the sensory system used for olfaction, or the sense of smell. Most mammals and reptiles have two distinct parts to their olfactory system: a main olfactory system and an accessory olfactory system. The main olfactory system detects volatile, airborne substances, while the...
of M. croceipes is linked to its taste receptors, wasps can be trained to respond to the smell of an arbitrary chemical if the smell is repeatedly presented in association with food (sugar water or corn borers). The smell of "food" triggers a characteristic pattern of activity, a short-range host-seeking response. Researchers have said that M. croceipes has great potential for use as a biological sensor "due to its ability to be conditioned, respond and discriminate target odors from background odors." The Wasp Hound "portable nose" device depends on trained M. croceipes as its biosensor.