Journal of Insect Science (2003) 3 (33), p. 7 (Donnell et al.)

David M. Donnell, Laura S. Corley and Michael R. Strand (2003)
The role of the germ cell line in caste determination in the polyembryonic wasp, Copidosoma floridanum (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)
Journal of Insect Science 3 (33), 7-7
XIII International Entomophagous Insects Workshop - July 27-31, 2003, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.
Abstract: A single egg of the polyembryonic wasp, Copidosoma floridanum, gives rise to thousands of embryos. These embryos develop into two distinct larval castes. Reproductive larvae possess germ cells and develop into adult wasps, while precocious larvae lack germ cells and function as soldiers that defend the host from competitors. Germ line determinants localize to a single blastomere at the four-cell stage of development. To determine if inheritance of germ cells plays a role in caste formation, we compared development of eggs in which we ablated the progenitor germ cell to eggs in which we ablated other blastomeres. Our results indicate that inheritance of germ cells is a key factor involved in caste formation in C. floridanum.
Database assignments for author(s): David M. Donnell, Michael R. Strand

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Copidosoma floridanum (parasitoid)