Search

International audience; Bracoviruses are domesticated viruses found in parasitic wasp genomes. They are composed of genes of nudiviral origin involved in particle production and proviral segments encoding virulence genes necessary for parasitism success. During particle production, proviral segments are amplified and individually packaged as DNA circles in nucleocapsids. These particles are injected by parasitic waspstogether with their eggs into host larvae. Bracovirus circles of two wasp species were reported toundergo chromosomal integration in parasitized host hemocytes, through a conserved sequence named Host Integration Motif (HIM). Here, we used bulk Illumina sequencing to survey integrations of Cotesia typhae bracovirus circles in the DNA of its host, the maize corn borer ( Sesamia nonagrioides ) seven days after parasitism. First, assembly and annotation of a high-quality genome for C. typhae enabled us to characterize 27 proviral segments clustered in proviral loci. Using these data, we characterized large numbers of chromosomal integrations (from 12 to 85 events per host haploid genome) for all 16 bracovirus circles containing a HIM. Integrations were found in four S. nonagrioides tissues and in the body of a caterpillar in which parasitism had failed. The 12 remaining circles do not integrate but are maintained at high levels in host tissues. Surprisingly, we found that HIM-mediated chromosomal integration has occurred at least six times accidentally in thewasp germline during evolution. Overall, our study furthers our understanding of wasp-host genome interactions and supports HIM-mediated chromosomal integration as a possible mechanism ofhorizontal transfer from wasps to their hosts. Importance Bracoviruses are endogenous domesticated viruses of parasitoid wasps that are injected together with wasp eggs into wasp host larvae during parasitism. Several studies have shown that some DNA circles packaged into bracovirus particles become integrated into host somatic genomes during parasitism, but the phenomenon has never been studied using non-targeted approaches. Here we use bulk Illumina sequencing to systematically characterize and quantify bracovirus circle integrations that occur in four tissues of the Mediterranean corn borer ( Sesamia nonagrioides ) during parasitism by the Cotesia typhae wasp. Our analysis reveals that all circles containing a host integration motif (HIM) integrate at substantial levels (from 12 to 85 integrations per host cell in total) in all tissues while other circles do not integrate. In addition to shedding new light on wasp-bracovirus-host interaction, our study supports HIM-mediated chromosomal integration of bracovirus as a possible source of wasp-to-host horizontal transfer with long term evolutionary consequences.

The patch exploitation strategy of a forager exploiting a resource patch has been much studied since the development of the marginal value theorem. While the internal state’s effect of parasitoid on patch exploitation approach is hardly investigated. This work aimed to better understand the parasitoid states in the patch exploitation strategies, considering the state of age, starvation, mating, and oviposition experience of Trichopria drosophilae (Perkins) (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) had been studied. We calculated the ratio of parasitoids, total number of ovipositor insert and host encounters, and its entry time in the patch. The patch residence time also assessed by accounting these four different states of the parasitoid. Our results showed that the strategies of T. drosophilae to exploit a patch varied with the states of the parasitoid. Older and starved parasitoid females had significantly higher propensity to enter and stay in a patch. The mating status only prolonged the residence time on the patch. The oviposition experience significantly increasing the inclination of parasitoids to enter the patch, but it had no significantly effect on the patch residence time. Our results suggested that many aspects influence the states of a parasitoid wasp and bring different changes in its behavior. Further investigations are needed to know the causes that affect the foraging states of the parasitoid in the patch exploitation strategy.

A new species of leaf-mining moth described here as Micrurapteryxbaranchikovi Kirichenko, Akulov & Triberti, sp. nov. was detected in large numbers feeding on Thermopsislanceolata (Fabaceae) in the Republic of Khakassia (Russia) in 2020. A morphological diagnosis of adults, bionomics and DNA barcoding data of the new species are provided. The developmental stages (larva, pupa, adult), male and female genitalia, as well as the leaf mines and the infestation plot in Khakassia are illustrated; the pest status of the new species in the studied region is discussed. Additionally, parasitism rate was estimated, the parasitoid wasps reared from pupae of the new species were identified (morphologically and genetically) and illustrated . Among them, one ichneumonid, Campoplexsp. aff.borealis (Zetterstedt) and two braconids, Agathisfuscipennis (Zetterstedt) and Illidopssubversor (Tobias et Kotenko), are novel records for the Republic of Khakassia. Furthermore, they are all documented as parasitoids of Gracillariidae for the first time. The DNA barcode of A.fuscipennis is newly obtained and can be used as a reference sequence for species identification.

The Neotropical cryptine genus Lissaspis Townes is reviewed, comprising 26 species, of which, 17 are described as new, more than doubling the known species: L. aurea sp. n. from Peru, L. brevis sp. n. from Costa Rica and Ecuador, L. brunnea sp. n. from Costa Rica, L. erwini sp. n. from Ecuador, L. excavata sp. n. and L. longigena sp. n. from Venezuela, L. mesostriata sp. n. from Ecuador, L. oaxacana sp. n. from Mexico, L. reijoi sp. n. and L. rugosa sp. n. from Ecuador, L. soniae sp. n. from Costa Rica, L. townesorum sp. n. from Peru, L. variabilis sp. n. from Costa Rica, L. vermelhensis sp. n. from Brazil, L. victori sp. n. from Costa Rica, and L. waorani sp. n. and L. yasuniensis sp. n. from Ecuador. An illustrated identification key and distribution maps of all species are provided.

The reproductive barriers that prevent gene flow between closely related species are a major topic in evolutionary research. Insect clades with parasitoid lifestyle are among the most species‐rich insects and new species are constantly described, indicating that speciation occurs frequently in this group. However, there are only very few studies on speciation in parasitoids. We studied reproductive barriers in two lineages of Lariophagus distinguendus (Chalcidoidea: Hymenoptera), a parasitoid wasp of pest beetle larvae that occur in human environments. One of the two lineages occurs in households preferably attacking larvae of the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum (“DB‐lineage”), the other in grain stores with larvae of the granary weevil Sitophilus granarius as main host (“GW‐lineage”). Between two populations of the DB‐lineage, we identified slight sexual isolation as intraspecific barrier. Between populations from both lineages, we found almost complete sexual isolation caused by female mate choice, and postzygotic isolation, which is partially caused by cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by so far undescribed endosymbionts which are not Wolbachia or Cardinium. Because separation between the two lineages is almost complete, they should be considered as separate species according to the biological species concept. This demonstrates that cryptic species within parasitoid Hymenoptera also occur in Central Europe in close contact to humans., We studied reproductive barriers in populations of two lineages of the parasitoid Lariophagus distinguendus, which prefer different hosts and occur in different habitats associated with humans. Between the lineages, there is almost complete sexual isolation caused by female mate choice, and postzygotic isolation, which is partially caused by cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by endosymbionts, which are neither Wolbachia nor Cardinium. Because separation is almost complete, the two lineages should be considered separate species according to the biological species concept.

Braconid parasitoids reared from Malussieversii and Malusdomestica trees in NW China infested by Agrilusmali Matsumura (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) are illustrated and discussed. Six species were found parasitising Agrilusmali in NW China, namely, Atanycolusivanowi (Kokujev) (Braconinae), Doryctesundulatus (Ratzeburg), Pareucorystesvarinervis Tobias, Polystenusrugosus Foerster, Spathiussinicus Chao, and Spathiusbrevicaudis Ratzeburg (Doryctinae). All listed species are newly recorded parasitoids of Agrilusmali. Pareucorystesvarinervis and Spathiusbrevicaudis are new records for the Chinese fauna, but Spathiusbrevicaudis has been recorded from Taiwan before. Both sexes of Spathiusbrevicaudis are redescribed here to allow inclusion in the recent revision of the Chinese Spathius species. An identification key to the six braconid parasitoids of Agrilusmali in NW China is provided.

Host shifts can drastically change the selective pressures that animals experience from their environment.Drosophila sechelliais a species restricted to the Seychelles islands, where it specializes on the fruitMorinda citrifolia(noni). This fruit is known to be toxic to closely relatedDrosophilaspecies, includingD. melanogasterandD. simulans, releasingD. sechelliafrom interspecific competition when breeding on this substrate. Previously, we showed that larvae ofD. sechelliaare unable to mount an effective immunological response against wasp attack, while larvae of closely-related species can defend themselves from parasitoid attack by melanotic encapsulation. We hypothesized that this inability constitutes a trait loss due to a reduced risk of parasitoid attack in noni. Here we present a lab experiment and field survey aimed to test the hypothesis that specialization on noni has releasedD. sechelliafrom the antagonistic interaction with its larval parasitoids. Our results from the lab experiment suggest that noni may be harmful to parasitoid wasps. Our results from the field survey indicate thatD. sechelliawas found in ripe noni, whereas anotherDrosophilaspecies,D. malerkotliana, was present in unripe and overripe stages. Parasitic wasps of the speciesLeptopilina boulardiemerged from overripe noni, whereD. malerkotlianawas the most abundant host, but not from ripe noni. These results indicate that the specialization ofD. sechelliaon noni has indeed drastically altered its ecological interactions, leading to a relaxation in the selection pressure to maintain parasitoid resistance.

Adenosine is a key signal molecule of the metabolic switch, a crucial process of metabolic changes in Drosophila melanogaster upon parazitoid wasp infection. However, some components of the adenosine creation pathway have yet to be discovered. We studied a potential convertor of AMP to adenosine in immune response, cN-IIIB, a cytosolic nucleotidase known to accept the methylated RNA cap nucleotide 7-methylguanosine as a substrate and to protect cells against undesired incorporation of this nucleotide into nucleic acids. We suggest this trait can be potentially important in the metabolic switch.

Several species of the genus Aphidius are well known as commercial biocontrol agents of pest aphids, and more than 130 species of the genus have been recorded worldwide. To date, only 15 Aphidius species have been recorded in South Korea. Using the DNA barcode region (ca. 658 bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), we amplified sequences of 15 Aphidius Korean species, aligned them in combination with 23 reference species retrieved from GenBank for comparison and identification, and then reconstructed a barcode phylogeny by the neighbour-joining method. As a result, three Aphidius species were found to be new to Science. Descriptions and illustrations of the three species new to Science – Aphidius longicarpussp. nov., A. longistigmussp. nov., and A. asiaticussp. nov. – are provided, together with their phylogenetic position within the genus Aphidius. In addition, a redescription of A. areolatus, a parasitoid of maple aphids (Peryphillus spp.), is also given.

Посебна издања / Српска академија наука и уметности ; књ. 697. Одељење хемијских и биолошких наука ; књ. 15

Based on 261 female specimens of the genus Dipara Walker, 1833 from leaf litter samples of the Kakamega Forest in Kenya, we describe the following twelve new species: Dipara andreabalzeraesp. nov., Dipara coronasp. nov., Dipara fastigatasp. nov., Dipara kakamegensissp. nov., Dipara luxsp. nov., Dipara nigroscutellatasp. nov., Dipara nyanisp. nov., Dipara reticulatasp. nov., Dipara rodneymullenisp. nov., Dipara sapphirussp. nov., Dipara tenebrasp. nov., and Dipara tigrinasp. nov. For Dipara albomaculata (Hedqvist, 1963) and Dipara nigrita Hedqvist, 1969, we give new distribution records. We examined the available type material of all described Dipara species from the Afrotropical mainland, i.e., Dipara albomaculata (Hedqvist, 1963), Dipara machadoi (Hedqvist, 1971), Dipara maculata (Hedqvist, 1963), Dipara nigrita Hedqvist, 1969, Dipara pallida (Hedqvist, 1969), Dipara punctulata (Hedqvist, 1969), Dipara saetosa (Delucchi, 1962), Dipara straminea (Hedqvist, 1969), Dipara striata (Hedqvist, 1969), and Dipara turneri Hedqvist, 1969. We provide figures, descriptions, and diagnoses of the newly described species and figures and diagnoses of the ten known species as well as an identification key to all species of the Afrotropical mainland.

Parasites and pathogens are crucial in shaping immune systems. Many animals and especially insects have outsourced part of their immune function to protective symbionts. There is good evidence that, akin to immune systems, parasites shape the occurrence and diversity of protective symbionts and that likewise, protective symbionts can shape the occurrence and diversity of parasites. Such a relationship should result in a correlation between symbiont and parasite diversity in nature. Aphids are well known for possessing symbionts that provide specific and effective protection against parasitoid wasps. We compared symbiont and parasitoid diversity across multiple populations of different aphid species of the genus Aphis and their parasitoid wasps. The diversity of protective symbionts and parasitoids was indeed positively associated. Even though this association was very noisy, it is in line with the hypothesis that parasitoids and symbionts promote each other’s diversity. © 2021 The Authors. ISSN:2150-8925

Some parasitoids of the genus Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) are well-known natural enemies of ticks. In this study, we investigate the occurrence of parasitoid wasps in adult hard ticks from Western Africa (C&ocirc, te d&rsquo, Ivoire and Senegal) and Far Eastern Europe (Russia) using molecular methods. The morphological identification allowed the classification of 785 collected specimens of six species of ticks: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (41%), Ixodes persulcatus (33%), Dermacentor silvarum (11%), Haemaphysalis concinna (7%), Amblyomma variegatum (5%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (3%). The newly developed MALDI-TOF MS protocol identified tick species in spite of their different storage (dried or in 70% ethanol) conditions for a long period. Molecular screening of ticks by a new standard PCR system developed in this study revealed the presence of parasitoid wasp DNA in 3% (28/785) of analyzed ticks. Ixodiphagus hookeri was detected in 86% (24/28) of infested ticks, including 13 I. persulcatus, 9 R (B) microplus, and one H. concinna and D. silvarum. While an unidentified parasitoid wasp species from the subfamily Aphidiinae and Braconidae family was detected in the remaining 14% (4/28) infested ticks. These infested ticks were identified as I. persulcatus. Our findings highlight the need for further studies to clarify the species diversity of parasitoid infesting ticks by combining molecular and morphological features. The novel molecular and MALDI-TOF MS protocols could be effective tools for the surveillance and characterization of these potential bio-control agents of ticks.

Venosomes are extracellular vesicles found in the venom of Leptopilina endoparasitoids wasps, which transport and target virulence factors to impair the parasitoid egg encapsulation by the lamellocytes of their Drosophila melanogaster host larva. Using the co-immunolocalization of fluorescent L. boulardi venosomes and one of the putative-transported virulence factors, LbGAP, with known markers of cellular endocytosis, we show that venosomes endocytosis by lamellocytes is not a process dependent on clathrin or macropinocytosis and internalization seems to bypass the early endosomal compartment Rab5. After internalization, LbGAP colocalizes strongly with flotillin-1 and the GPI-anchored protein Atilla/L1 (a lamellocyte surface marker) suggesting that entry occurs via a flotillin/lipid raft-dependent pathway. Once internalized, venosomes reach all intracellular compartments, including late and recycling endosomes, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum network. Venosomes therefore enter their target cells by a specific mechanism and the virulence factors are widely distributed in the lamellocytes’ compartments to impair their functions.

Sexually dimorphic traits in insects are subject to sexual selection, but our knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms is still scarce. Here we investigate how the highly conserved gene, Doublesex (Dsx), is involved in shaping sexual dimorphism in the model parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). First, we present the revised Dsx gene structure including an alternative transcription start, and two additional male NvDsx transcript isoforms. We show sex-specific NvDsx expression and splicing throughout development, and demonstrate that transient NvDsx silencing in different male developmental stages shifts two sexually dimorphic traits from male to female morphology, with the effect being dependent on the timing of silencing. In addition, we determined the effect of NvDsx on the development of reproductive organs. Transient silencing of NvDsx in early male larvae affects the growth and differentiation of the internal and external reproductive tissues. We did not observe phenotypic changes in females after NvDsx silencing. Our results indicate that male NvDsx is required to suppress female-specific traits and/or to promote male-specific traits during distinct developmental windows. This provides new insights into the regulatory activity of Dsx during male wasp development in the Hymenoptera.

Insects utilize diverse food resources which can affect the evolution of their genomic repertoire, including leading to gene losses in different nutrient pathways. Here, we investigate gene loss in amino acid synthesis pathways, with special attention to hymenopterans and parasitoid wasps. Using comparative genomics, we find that synthesis capability for tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine was lost in holometabolous insects prior to hymenopteran divergence, while valine, leucine, and isoleucine were lost in the common ancestor of Hymenoptera. Subsequently, multiple loss events of lysine synthesis occurred independently in the Parasitoida and Aculeata. Experiments in the parasitoid Cotesia chilonis confirm that it has lost the ability to synthesize eight amino acids. Our findings provide insights into amino acid synthesis evolution, and specifically can be used to inform the design of parasitoid artificial diets for pest control.

This study was based on examination of specimens of the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) deposited in Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum. Totally thirteen species from eleven genera and seven subfamilies, including Braconinae (One genus – One species), Cardiochilinae (1- 1), Doryctinae (1-4), Macrocernrinae (1-2) , Opiinae (2-2), Rhyssalinae (1-1), Rogadinae (1-2) were identified, of which six species including Biosteres spinaciaeformis Fischer, 1971, Heterospilus rubicola Fischer,1968, Utetes fulvicollis (Thomson, 1895), Aleiodes arcticus (Thomson, 1892), Macrocentrus turkestanicus (Telenga, 1950) and Rhyssalus longicaudis (Tobias & Belokobylskij, 1981) are new records for the Iranian braconid founa.

The Aleiodes bakeri (Brues) species subgroup of the A. seriatus species group is defined based on two previously described species, A. bakeri and A. nigristemmaticum (Enderlein), and is greatly expanded in this paper with an identification key, descriptions, and illustrations of 18 new species from the Neotropical Region: A. andinus Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; angustus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; asenjoi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; bahiensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; barrosi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; brevicarina Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; coariensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; goiasensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; gonodontivorus Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; hyalinus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; inga Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; joaquimi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; lidiae Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; mabelae Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; maculosus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; ovatus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; santarosensis Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; and taurus Shimbori & Penteado-Dias, sp. nov. It is hypothesized that the A. bakeri species subgroup is a monophyletic lineage within the larger and probably artificial A. seriatus species group (those Aleiodes with a comb of flat setae at the apex of the hind tibia), and can be distinguished from other members of the seriatus group by having the hind wing vein r present, although weakly indicated; the hind wing marginal cell suddenly widened at junction of veins RS and r; the subbasal cell of the fore wing mostly glabrous but often with two rows of short setae subapically; glabrous regions of the wings also commonly found in the first subdiscal, discal, and basal cells of the fore wing, and the basal cell of hind wing; ocelli quite large, with the width of a lateral ocellus being distinctly larger than the ocellar-ocular distance; and being relatively large Aleiodes species with body almost entirely brownish yellow or reddish brown. In addition, a new replacement name, Aleiodes buntikae Shimbori & Shaw, nom. nov., is proposed for the species formerly called Aleiodes (Hemigyroneuron) bakeri Butcher & Quicke, 2011.

DolichomitusSmith is a widely distributed pimpline genus with more than seventy known species. There are eight species previously reported from South America:D. annulicornis(Cameron),D. bivittatusTownes,D. hypermecesTownes,D. jataiLoffredo & Penteado-Dias,D. longicaudaSmith,D. megalourus(Morley),D. moacyriLoffredo & Penteado-Dias andD. zonatus(Cresson). In this paper, we describe five new species:D. mariajosaeAraujo & Pádua,sp. nov.,D. menaiAraujo & Pádua,sp. nov.,D. orejuelaiAraujo & Pádua,sp. nov.,D. pimmiAraujo & Pádua,sp. nov., andD. rendoniAraujo & Pádua,sp. nov.All have been collected in cloud forests in the Colombian tropical Andes. An illustrated key to the South American species of the genus is also provided.

Mating behaviour in insects is largely mediated by chemical signals emitted by one sex and recognized by the other (sex pheromones). A particular type of integumentary gland produces a sex pheromone in the antennae of male Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera), a rich and diverse wasp group consisting of species forming galls on plants, species which act as inquilines or parasitoids of these galls, and non-gall-associated parasitoids. This gland is connected to the surface by a modified structure which releases and spreads the chemicals on females (release and spread structure (RSS)). Here, we performed a scanning electron microscope investigation to evaluate the diversity of RSS in detail through an analysis of 49 species spanning almost all extant lineages, with special emphasis on the family Cynipidae (gall-wasps). Up to three strongly modified flagellomeres harboured the RSS in Cynipoidea, more often the first (proximal) flagellomere (F). The Fwas in most cases cylindrical or slightly flattened laterally, in this case often with a longitudinal ridge present, with few cases of a distinctly excavated (only in Cynipidae and the basal parasitoid family Ibaliidae) or strongly distally inflated (only in the cynipid gall-inquiline tribe Synergini) shape. The RSS ranged from long and narrow to short and wide. Pores of the RSS, more often scattered than closely spaced, were well visible in most of species. The observed conspicuous variability in RSS morphology seemed very weakly associated both with phylogenetic relationships among lineages and with life-history (galler, gall-associated inquilines or parasitoids, and non-gall-associated parasitoids). New studies are necessary to shed light on the evolution of this structure., CP was funded by a SECTI-post-doctoral contract from the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) and by a SYNTHESYS grant (ES-TAF 5333) from the European Union. JLNA was supported in part by research projects CGL2015-66571-P from MINECO/FEDER-UE and Encomienda de Gestión from MAPAMA to Agencia Estatal CSIC (16MNES003).

Dolichomitus Smith is a widely distributed pimpline genus with more than seventy known species. There are eight species previously reported from South America: D. annulicornis (Cameron), D. bivittatus Townes, D. hypermeces Townes, D. jatai Loffredo & Penteado-Dias, D. longicauda Smith, D. megalourus (Morley), D. moacyri Loffredo & Penteado-Dias and D. zonatus (Cresson). In this paper, we describe five new species: D. mariajosae Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. menai Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. orejuelai Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. pimmi Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., and D. rendoni Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov. All have been collected in cloud forests in the Colombian tropical Andes. An illustrated key to the South American species of the genus is also provided.

Diachasmimoorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, D. longicaudata) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary species of parasitoid wasp and widely used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs as a biological control agent in order to suppress tephritid fruit flies of economic importance. Although many studies have investigated the behaviors in the detection of their hosts, little is known of the molecular information of their chemosensory system. We assembled the first transcriptome of D. longgicaudata using transcriptome sequencing and identified 162,621 unigenes for the Ashmead insects in response to fruit flies fed with different fruits (guava, mango, and carambola). We annotated these transcripts on both the gene and protein levels by aligning them to databases (e.g., NR, NT, KEGG, GO, PFAM, UniProt/SwissProt) and prediction software (e.g., SignalP, RNAMMER, TMHMM Sever). CPC2 and MIREAP were used to predict the potential noncoding RNAs and microRNAs, respectively. Based on these annotations, we found 43, 69, 60, 689, 26 and 14 transcripts encoding odorant-binding protein (OBP), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), gustatory receptor (GR), odorant receptor (OR), odorant ionotropic receptor (IR), and sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP), respectively. Sequence analysis identified the conserved six Cys in OBP sequences and phylogenetic analysis further supported the identification of OBPs and CSPs. Furthermore, 9 OBPs, 13 CSPs, 3 GRs, 4IRs, 25 ORs, and 4 SNMPs were differentially expressed in the insects in response to fruit flies with different scents. These results support that the olfactory genes of the parasitoid wasps were specifically expressed in response to their hosts with different scents. Our findings improve our understanding of the behaviors of insects in the detection of their hosts on the molecular level. More importantly, it provides a valuable resource for D. longicaudata research and will benefit the IPM programs and other researchers in this filed.

The Aleiodes bakeri (Brues) species subgroup of the A. seriatus species group is defined based on two previously described species, A. bakeri and A. nigristemmaticum (Enderlein), and is greatly expanded in this paper with an identification key, descriptions, and illustrations of 18 new species from the Neotropical Region: A. andinus Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; angustus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; asenjoi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; bahiensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; barrosi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; brevicarina Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; coariensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; goiasensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; gonodontivorus Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; hyalinus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; inga Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; joaquimi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; lidiae Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; mabelae Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; maculosus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; ovatus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; santarosensis Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; and taurus Shimbori & Penteado-Dias, sp. nov. It is hypothesized that the A. bakeri species subgroup is a monophyletic lineage within the larger and probably artificial A. seriatus species group (those Aleiodes with a comb of flat setae at the apex of the hind tibia), and can be distinguished from other members of the seriatus group by having the hind wing vein r present, although weakly indicated; the hind wing marginal cell suddenly widened at junction of veins RS and r; the subbasal cell of the fore wing mostly glabrous but often with two rows of short setae subapically; glabrous regions of the wings also commonly found in the first subdiscal, discal, and basal cells of the fore wing, and the basal cell of hind wing; ocelli quite large, with the width of a lateral ocellus being distinctly larger than the ocellar-ocular distance; and being relatively large Aleiodes species with body almost entirely brownish yellow or reddish brown. In addition, a new replacement name, Aleiodes buntikae Shimbori & Shaw, nom. nov., is proposed for the species formerly called Aleiodes (Hemigyroneuron) bakeri Butcher & Quicke, 2011.

Venosomes are extracellular vesicles found in the venom of Leptopilina endoparasitoids wasps, which transport and target virulence factors to impair the parasitoid egg encapsulation by the lamellocytes of their Drosophila melanogaster host larva. Using the co-immunolocalization of fluorescent L. boulardi venosomes and one of the putative-transported virulence factors, LbGAP, with known markers of cellular endocytosis, we show that venosomes endocytosis by lamellocytes is not a process dependent on clathrin or macropinocytosis and internalization seems to bypass the early endosomal compartment Rab5. After internalization, LbGAP colocalizes strongly with flotillin-1 and the GPI-anchored protein Atilla/L1 (a lamellocyte surface marker) suggesting that entry occurs via a flotillin/lipid raft-dependent pathway. Once internalized, venosomes reach all intracellular compartments, including late and recycling endosomes, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum network. Venosomes therefore enter their target cells by a specific mechanism and the virulence factors are widely distributed in the lamellocytes’ compartments to impair their functions.

[EN] This project aims to study the dynamic population of pests and natural enemies in a farming system that is based on agroecology and bio-inputs. The farming system (micro-farm) covers a superficial of 7000 m2 and is situated in the island of Guadeloupe in Lesser Antilles. It has been designed with mixed plants that provide multiple services to the ecosystem. One of these services is to attract natural enemies that can regulate the pest populations. This study will focus on Hymenoptera parasitoids, one of the main group of natural enemies, widely used in biological control of pests. The population of parasitoids and their interaction with flower species and pests will be analyzed in the micro- farm. The main objective is to identify the parasitoids Hymenoptera, ants and pests and to understand which flower species attracts higher population of parasitoids. This knowledge will be used to promote conservation biological control as part of integrated pest management and to recommend to the farmers to allow flowers in the farm in order to attract beneficials insects and to create a balance agroecosystem. The goal is to prove that multiple cropping system can be used as reservoir for the survival of parasitoids and other beneficial that can regulate pest populations decreasing the use of chemicals., [ES] Este proyecto tiene como objetivo estudiar la dinámica poblacional de plagas y enemigos naturales en un sistema agrícola basado en principos agroecológicos y bioinsumos. El sistema de cultivo (micro-granja) cubre una superficie de 7.000 m2 y está situado en la isla de Guadalupe en las Antillas Menores. Ha sido diseñado con diversidad de especies de plantas que proporcionan múltiples servicios al ecosistema. Uno de estos servicios ecosistémicos consiste en atraer enemigos naturales que podrían regular las poblaciones plaga. Este estudio se centra en los himenópteros parasitoides, uno de los principales grupos de enemigos naturales, ampliamente usado en control biológico de plagas. Se analizará la población de parasitoides y su interacción con las plagas y las especies de plantas presentes en la micro-granja. El principal objetivo consiste en identificar los himenópteros parasitoides, hormigas y plagas para determinar qué especies de plantas atrae mayor población de parasitoides. Este conocimiento será utilizado para potenciar el control biológico por conservación como una parte del control integrado de plagas y recomendar a los agricultores que permitan la presencia de plantas con flores en la granja para atraer insectos beneficiosos y crear un agroecosistema equilibrado. El objetivo es demostrar que los sistemas de cultivos múltiples pueden usarse como reservorio de parasitoides y otros beneficiosos que pueden regular las poblaciones de plagas y disminuir el uso de fitosanitarios.

Parasitoid wasps are hymenopterans that use other insects as hosts for their offspring. Females deposit their eggs either in (endoparasitoid) or on (ectoparasitoid) the host and inject maternal venoms and viruses to modulate host physiology to ensure the survival of the wasp eggs. The endoparasitoid wasp Pimpla turionellae (Linnaeus) injects its venom with the egg to sabotage the host’s cellular and humoral defense, arrest further host development, and paralyze the host pupa to promote their offspring’s survival. In this work, the impact of parasitization was analyzed to test whether idiobiont endoparasitoids induce epigenetic reprogramming to overcome host immune defense and disturb host development, and P. turionellae venom components were characterized using a combined proteo-transcriptomic approach. The impact of parasitization was tested by monitoring differentially expressed genes involved in the immunity and developmental hormone signaling pathways of parasitized and control hosts, Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus). My results indicate that parasitization induces the suppression of host immune responses and the modulation of host development. The changes in gene expressions were related to alterations in the host’s epigenetic mechanisms. Parasitization by P. turionellae induced changes in the acetylation ratios of specific histones and a transient decrease in the host’s global DNA methylation. Additionally, I observed strong parasitization-specific changes in the host’s microRNAs pattern that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. On a second level, the transcriptomic analysis of venom glands and the proteomic study of the crude venom of endoparasitoid wasp P. turionellae were combined and resulted in the identification of several enzymes, cysteine-rich peptides, and other proteins. Possible biological functions of the identified proteins were characterized with respect to other known parasitoid venoms. Interestingly, any evidence of pimplin, the previously described main paralytic factor of Pimpla hypochondriaca venom, was not identified. However, a new cysteine inhibitor knot (ICK) family (pimplin2) that is highly similar to known ICK-like neurotoxins was found as a highly expressed venom component. In conclusion, my thesis characterizes the venom composition of P. turionellae, describing the known and novel venom protein families. Furthermore, the new insights reveal that parasitization reprograms the epigenetic mechanisms of the host to disrupt its development and suppress its immune system. Finally, some of the identified but functionally unknown components, such as the linear, short protein pimplin4, will be bioactivity tested to perform an in-depth assessment of their promising potential in bioinsecticidal or antimicrobial applications. Parasitoide sind Hymenopteren, die andere Insekten als Wirte für ihre Nachkommen nutzen. Die endoparasitoide Wespe Pimpla turionellae injiziert ihr Gift zusammen mit ihrem Ei, um die zelluläre und humorale Abwehr des Wirtes zu sabotieren und dessen weitere Entwicklung zu stoppen. Zudem werden die Wirtslarven gelähmt, um das Überleben der parasitoiden Nachkommen zu sichern. In dieser Arbeit wurden die Auswirkungen der Parasitierung analysiert, um zu untersuchen, ob idiobionte Endoparasitoide die Immunabwehr und die Entwicklung des Wirtes unterdrücken können, indem sie dessen epigenetische Regulationsmechanismen stören. Ferner wurden die Giftkomponenten von P. turionellae durch proteo-transkriptomische Ansätze charakterisiert. Die Auswirkungen der Parasitierung auf den Wirt, die Puppe der großen Wachsmotte Galleria mellonella, wurden durch Analyse von differentiell exprimierten Genen untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Parasitierung durch P. turionellae im verwendeten Modellwirt dessen Immunabwehr und Entwicklung hemmen. Die Veränderungen der Genexpression stehen im Zusammenhang mit Veränderungen der epigenetischen Mechanismen des Wirtes. Die Parasitierung induziert Änderungen der Acetylierungsverhältnisse spezifischer Histone, eine vorübergehende Abnahme der globalen DNA-Methylierung und eine Umprogrammierung der microRNA-Expression in G. mellonella. Die proteo-transkriptomische Analyse des Giftes von P. turionellae führte zur Identifizierung mehrerer Enzyme, Cystein-reicher Peptide und anderer Proteine. Mögliche biologische Funktionen identifizierter Proteine wurden im Vergleich mit Giften anderer bekannter Parasitoide diskutiert. Interessanterweise wurde kein Hinweis auf Pimplin, den in der Literatur bisher beschriebenen paralytischen Hauptfaktor des Giftes von Pimpla hypochondriaca, gefunden. Stattdessen wurde eine neue Toxin-Familie (Pimplin2) identifiziert, die bekannten Cystein-reichen Neurotoxinen sehr ähnlich ist und das höchste Expressionsniveau aller Gift-Komponenten aufweist. Diese Arbeit charakterisiert die Giftzusammensetzung von P. turionellae und beschreibt bekannte sowie neuartige Komponenten. Zu den gewonnenen Erkenntnissen gehört, dass die Parasitierung mit P. turionellae im befallenen Wirtsinsekt Auswirkungen auf dessen epigenetische Mechanismen hat, die zur Hemmung der Immunabwehr und zur Verzögerung der Entwicklung führen. Schließlich werden einige der identifizierten, aber funktionell unbekannten Komponenten, wie das lineare, kurze Protein Pimplin4, auf Bioaktivität getestet, um eine eingehende Bewertung ihres vielversprechenden Potenzials für bioinsektizide oder antimikrobielle Anwendungen durchführen zu können.

Parasitoid wasps are hymenopterans that use other insects as hosts for their offspring. Females deposit their eggs either in (endoparasitoid) or on (ectoparasitoid) the host and inject maternal venoms and viruses to modulate host physiology to ensure the survival of the wasp eggs. The endoparasitoid wasp Pimpla turionellae (Linnaeus) injects its venom with the egg to sabotage the host s cellular and humoral defense, arrest further host development, and paralyze the host pupa to promote their offspring s survival. In this work, the impact of parasitization was analyzed to test whether idiobiont endoparasitoids induce epigenetic reprogramming to overcome host immune defense and disturb host development, and P. turionellae venom components were characterized using a combined proteo-transcriptomic approach.The impact of parasitization was tested by monitoring differentially expressed genes involved in the immunity and developmental hormone signaling pathways of parasitized and control hosts, Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus). My results indicate that parasitization induces the suppression of host immune responses and the modulation of host development. The changes in gene expressions were related to alterations in the host s epigenetic mechanisms. Parasitization by P. turionellae induced changes in the acetylation ratios of specific histones and a transient decrease in the host s global DNA methylation. Additionally, I observed strong parasitization-specific changes in the host s microRNAs pattern that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.On a second level, the transcriptomic analysis of venom glands and the proteomic study of the crude venom of endoparasitoid wasp P. turionellae were combined and resulted in the identification of several enzymes, cysteine-rich peptides, and other proteins. Possible biological functions of the identified proteins were characterized with respect to other known parasitoid venoms. Interestingly, any evidence of pimplin, the previously described main paralytic factor of Pimpla hypochondriaca venom, was not identified. However, a new cysteine inhibitor knot (ICK) family (pimplin2) that is highly similar to known ICK-like neurotoxins was found as a highly expressed venom component.In conclusion, my thesis characterizes the venom composition of P. turionellae, describing the known and novel venom protein families. Furthermore, the new insights reveal that parasitization reprograms the epigenetic mechanisms of the host to disrupt its development and suppress its immune system. Finally, some of the identified but functionally unknown components, such as the linear, short protein pimplin4, will be bioactivity tested to perform an in-depth assessment of their promising potential in bioinsecticidal or antimicrobial applications., Parasitoide sind Hymenopteren, die andere Insekten als Wirte für ihre Nachkommen nutzen. Die endoparasitoide Wespe Pimpla turionellae injiziert ihr Gift zusammen mit ihrem Ei, um die zelluläre und humorale Abwehr des Wirtes zu sabotieren und dessen weitere Entwicklung zu stoppen. Zudem werden die Wirtslarven gelähmt, um das Überleben der parasitoiden Nachkommen zu sichern. In dieser Arbeit wurden die Auswirkungen der Parasitierung analysiert, um zu untersuchen, ob idiobionte Endoparasitoide die Immunabwehr und die Entwicklung des Wirtes unterdrücken können, indem sie dessen epigenetische Regulationsmechanismen stören. Ferner wurden die Giftkomponenten von P. turionellae durch proteo-transkriptomische Ansätze charakterisiert.Die Auswirkungen der Parasitierung auf den Wirt, die Puppe der großen Wachsmotte Galleria mellonella, wurden durch Analyse von differentiell exprimierten Genen untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Parasitierung durch P. turionellae im verwendeten Modellwirt dessen Immunabwehr und Entwicklung hemmen. Die Veränderungen der Genexpression stehen im Zusammenhang mit Veränderungen der epigenetischen Mechanismen des Wirtes. Die Parasitierung induziert Änderungen der Acetylierungsverhältnisse spezifischer Histone, eine vorübergehende Abnahme der globalen DNA-Methylierung und eine Umprogrammierung der microRNA-Expression in G. mellonella.Die proteo-transkriptomische Analyse des Giftes von P. turionellae führte zur Identifizierung mehrerer Enzyme, Cystein-reicher Peptide und anderer Proteine. Mögliche biologische Funktionen identifizierter Proteine wurden im Vergleich mit Giften anderer bekannter Parasitoide diskutiert. Interessanterweise wurde kein Hinweis auf Pimplin, den in der Literatur bisher beschriebenen paralytischen Hauptfaktor des Giftes von Pimpla hypochondriaca, gefunden. Stattdessen wurde eine neue Toxin-Familie (Pimplin2) identifiziert, die bekannten Cystein-reichen Neurotoxinen sehr ähnlich ist und das höchste Expressionsniveau aller Gift-Komponenten aufweist.Diese Arbeit charakterisiert die Giftzusammensetzung von P. turionellae und beschreibt bekannte sowie neuartige Komponenten. Zu den gewonnenen Erkenntnissen gehört, dass die Parasitierung mit P. turionellae im befallenen Wirtsinsekt Auswirkungen auf dessen epigenetische Mechanismen hat, die zur Hemmung der Immunabwehr und zur Verzögerung der Entwicklung führen. Schließlich werden einige der identifizierten, aber funktionell unbekannten Komponenten, wie das lineare, kurze Protein Pimplin4, auf Bioaktivität getestet, um eine eingehende Bewertung ihres vielversprechenden Potenzials für bioinsektizide oder antimikrobielle Anwendungen durchführen zu können.