Self-Injection of a Dipteran Parasitoid into a Spider |
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Authors: | B Overgaard Nielsen P Funch S Toft |
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Institution: | Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Building 135, DK-8000 ?rhus C, Denmark e-mail: boy.overgaard.nielsen@biology.aau.dk, Tel.: +45-8942-2762, Fax: +45-8612-5175, DK
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Abstract: | A host invasion strategy hitherto unknown from other insect parasitoids was observed in the dipteran Acrocera orbicula (Fabricius) (Diptera: Acroceridae) parasitizing the wolf spider, Pardosa prativaga (L. Koch) (Araneida: Lycosidae). In laboratory experiments the free-living first instar acrocerid larvae attached themselves
firmly to the spiders' integument by the mouthparts, cutting a tiny hole through the integument. No first instar larvae invaded
the host. A week later the parasitoids molted, and a small, flexible, and glabrous second instar larva left each of the attached
first instar exuviae and invaded the host through the attachment hole of the first instar larva. The novel host invasion pattern
observed may reduce physical damage to the host in the initial phase of endoparasitism, enhancing parasitoid survival.
Received: 14 April 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 2 July 1999 |
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