Publication Date
2020
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
King, Bethia H.
Degree Name
M.S. (Master of Science)
Legacy Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps are often part of the rich invertebrate communities in decaying organic matter where their hosts are found. However, little is known about what adults of these parasitoids eat. Most parasitoid wasps parasitize herbaceous insects, so nectar from flowers often is readily available. The present study examined feeding by adult Spalangia cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a species that burrows through manure, where it finds and parasitizes pupae of filth flies. Feeding on host fluids occurs in many parasitoid wasps, including S. cameroni. In the laboratory, these wasps also readily feed on honey or a sucrose solution, which increases their longevity. When given more realistic food choices, compared to just water, longevity was increased by buckwheat inflorescences, but not by cow manure, silage, milk, sweet alyssum, or dandelion inflorescences. Free sugars, lipids, and glycogen in wasps were determined with colorimetric tests in two experiments. The first experiment had two wasp treatments: 1) wasps given water for 2 d and then fed for 1 d and 2) same-aged wasps given just water. Wasps given buckwheat had significantly lower lipid levels. Wasps given hosts had significantly lower sugar and lipid levels. Wasps fed honey had significantly lower lipid levels and higher glycogen and sugar levels. In a second experiment, energy stores were examined 4 d after feeding, rather than immediately after, and patterns were different. Compared to water only, wasps fed buckwheat had significantly lower sugar levels and higher glycogen levels. Wasps given a host did not differ in sugar, lipid, or glycogen level from wasps given water.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Elizabeth, "Diet of Spalangia Cameroni (hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), A Parasitoid of Filth Flies" (2020). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7720.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7720
Extent
66 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
