Jewel Wasp Biology Kadeen Johns Barry K. Rhoades

Nasonia Vitripennis Life Cycle

Characteristics of Nasonia vitripennis Wasps are parasitoid on fly puparia Wasps are parasitoid on fly puparia Females oviposit up to 40 eggs Females oviposit up to 40 eggs Several host species, including Sarcophaga bulatta Several host species, including Sarcophaga bulatta Complete metamorphosis with ~14 day developmental cycle Complete metamorphosis with ~14 day developmental cycle Jewel wasps are haplodiploid – gender determined by ploidy Jewel wasps are haplodiploid – gender determined by ploidy Flightless, haploid males have short wings - mate at eclosion site Diploid females have longer wings, larger bodies – locate and oviposit hosts Mating takes place immediately after eclosion Mating takes place immediately after eclosion Three different stock eye colors - wild, scarlet, and oyster Three different stock eye colors - wild, scarlet, and oyster

Nasonia vitripennis Reproduction Female sex determination of offspring Female sex determination of offspring Haplodiploid genetics of eye color Haplodiploid genetics of eye color Mated female (stores sperm) Diploid fertilized egg Female offspring Haploid unfertilized egg Male offspring Female Phenotypes: Wild Scarlet Oyster +.+/+.+ +.st/+.st oy.+/oy.+ +.+/+.st +.+/oy.+ +.st/oy.+ Male Phenotypes: Wild Scarlet Oyster st oy.+

Maternal Determination of Progeny Gender in Nasonia vitripennis Female stores sperm after mating in spermatheca Female stores sperm after mating in spermatheca Female can deposit either fertilized or unfertilized eggs Female can deposit either fertilized or unfertilized eggs Female can detect prior ovipositions into host puparium and control sex ratio of offspring (F1) during oviposition Female can detect prior ovipositions into host puparium and control sex ratio of offspring (F1) during oviposition For single oviposition, females mate with brothers upon eclosion For single oviposition, females mate with brothers upon eclosion Ideal F1 sex ratio differs depending on oviposition exclusivity and sequential order – facultative sex ratio adjustment Ideal F1 sex ratio differs depending on oviposition exclusivity and sequential order – facultative sex ratio adjustment First wasp (primary oviposition) -> predominantly female progeny – maximizes # of F2 secnd generation female offspring First wasp (primary oviposition) -> predominantly female progeny – maximizes # of F2 secnd generation female offspring Subsequent wasps (superoviposition) -> relatively more males – outcompete primary wasp’s few male F1 progeny for reproductive access to F1 females Subsequent wasps (superoviposition) -> relatively more males – outcompete primary wasp’s few male F1 progeny for reproductive access to F1 females Multiple female wasps directly competing -> relative number of male progeny should increase with number of competing wasps Multiple female wasps directly competing -> relative number of male progeny should increase with number of competing wasps

Distinguishing Females from Males sorting pupae – to isolate virgin females

Distinguishing Females from Males

Eye Color Variants

Facultative Sex Ratio Adjustment Based on Oviposition Sequence Offspring MaleFemaleM/F Ratio 1st Wasp nd Wasp Single fly puparium exposed sequentially to 2 female wasps Single fly puparium exposed sequentially to 2 female wasps Day1 – female wasp 1, Day 2 – female wasp 2 Day1 – female wasp 1, Day 2 – female wasp 2 Purebred eyecolor stocks used to determine offspring parentage Purebred eyecolor stocks used to determine offspring parentage Balanced design with repetitions Balanced design with repetitions W1S2 x 4, S1W2 x4 – 4 groups W1S2 x 4, S1W2 x4 – 4 groups O1S2 x 4, S1O2 x 4 – 3 groups O1S2 x 4, S1O2 x 4 – 3 groups Data included: Data included: if and only if female progeny from both parental stocks if and only if female progeny from both parental stocks 16 out of 56 fly puparia -> 462 wasps 16 out of 56 fly puparia -> 462 wasps  2 = 36.5, d.f. = 1, p <.001  2 = 36.5, d.f. = 1, p <.001

Facultative Sex Ratio Adjustment Based on Female Competition Offspring MaleFemaleM/F Ratio 1 Wasp Wasps Wasps Wasps Single fly puparium exposed to 1 or more female wasps concurrently Single fly puparium exposed to 1 or more female wasps concurrently 1, 2, 4, or 8 female wasps – 4 day exposure 1, 2, 4, or 8 female wasps – 4 day exposure Repetitions – 7 sets x 4 conditions Repetitions – 7 sets x 4 conditions Data included: Data included: if and only if female progeny eclosed if and only if female progeny eclosed 23 out of 28 fly puparia -> 1320 wasps 23 out of 28 fly puparia -> 1320 wasps  2 = 26.1, d.f. = 3, p <.001  2 = 26.1, d.f. = 3, p <.001