Parasitic Wasps

[Sadsack]

Parasitic Wasp Genome Is Like the Wasp Itself: Weird and Surprising
Posted: 15 Jan 2010 02:55 PM PST
Some parasitic wasps may be no bigger than the head of a pin, but their genetics have plenty to teach us, a new study in Science says.
A research team has sequenced the genomes of three different species of parasitic wasp. Why bother with these tiny insects? For starters, genetics is easy. Females, like humans, carry two copies of every chromosome. But males develop from unfertilized eggs, which only carry one of each. With only one copy, even recessive mutations will be easy to identify and characterize [Ars Technica].
Parasitic wasps, then, make for an interesting science experiment. But their genetics could hold practical secrets, too. These wasps are deadly to many insects that bother us by attacking crops or livestock. “If we can harness their full potential, they would be vastly preferable to chemical pesticides which broadly kill or poison many organisms in the environment, including us,” Werren said in a statement [San Francisco Chronicle].
Also, don’t be surprised if other surprises turn up. Scientists have already documented that parasitic wasps have genes related to smallpox and other viruses, though they aren’t certain exactly what those genes do. A different Science study earlier in the year, though, said that some parasitic wasps may have gotten their poison from ancient viruses.
Parasitic wasps are nasty creatures—DISCOVER has documented their creepy habit of turning other animals in zombies. But nastiness aside, lead research John Werren says, we ought to be thankful for these wasps and their bloodlust: “There are over 600,000 species of these amazing critters, and we owe them a lot. If it weren’t for parasitoids and other natural enemies, we would be knee-deep in pest insects” [AFP].

http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/we...lrh291vk6r59#1

Related Links:
80beats: Parasitic Wasps Got Their Poison From an Ancient Virus
80beats: Caterpillars Beware: Parasitic Wasps Come in a Wide Variety
DISCOVER: Zombie Animals and the Parasites That Control Them, a gallery of great creepiness
Image: flickr / wormwould

SS

[combatentomologist]

Originally Posted by Bee

Hi CombatMan, How did you hear about Morgellons ? Glad to see ya here, I was wondering when one of ya would show up.

Thanks Bee!! I am frankly surprised there aren't more of us either!
I am sure I ran across it here on the interwebs some long time ago - I know it was quite the subject at work around the water cooler - unfortunately I nave had much time for idle chat - too busy trying to play God and ruin the planet. Just kidding! Sorry, but when you spend a large chunk of a decade studying how to help things that most people want to kill on sight, you get use to being typecast the villan. Its ok - it's a living.

honestly - I actually did the denial bit for awhile when I was self diagnosing my symptoms. The only small bit I knew of it was the distant chatter of coworkers amused/mad/insulted over these conspiracy theories that were gaining popularity. I would end up scanning Dermatology pictures looking for simularities between my delusion and hoping it matched someone elses reality. I finally had to be scientific about it and go with the obvious answer, dispite what predjudices I had. And man, I am upset I waited so long! This forum is above and beyond amazing - true experimentation and open scientific questioning, massive information gathering.....it is all quite astounding and I am happy to be in an arena where I am excited to learn from people who know so much more about a subject than I do that I thought I knew all there was to know. I dont know if it makes sense - but this whole thing happening to me, as a professional Entomologist - and still being told at every turn by doctors who know NOTHING about parasitism that "its all in my head" is the absolutely most insulting thing that has happened to me in my life. I spent almost 8 years studying and building my career to be told I am mistaken about the thing I do to make a living? Really? Do you want me make you a slide and ID it right now in your office here and do your stupid job for you, Mr. Useless Doctor Friend!!!

So, that brings me to you lovley and amazing people

I have been pouring over these massive forums trying to retain just a portion, and its a full time job....Thank you, thank you, thank you all for doing this, keeping these forums up and going, and being truly a becon of hope in the midst of this aweful affliction - even for someone who is friends with the creepy crawlies ( I swear my dudes aren't behind it!! it's the other guys!)

- Combat Entomologist

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[cynical]

Hi Combat,

What ever you can help with would be great. I am about ready to order those surgical caps doctors wear to protect my head from the new bio technology insects!

I live in Southern California. Can you say? Do we have more of these?

Cyn

[Enviro Girl]

Dude! I must've had one of these. I was afraid to say before (DOP!) but I'm wonderin' if these make a hive, that would snag and house a bunch of crap in our bodies. 2-3 yrs ago, I had drawing salve on my back, pushed on the spot that hurt w/tweezers and all of the sudden BUZZZZ and there was a HUGE black, big wasp-looking thing. It was winter, no windows were open and my bathroom door was closed. I smashed it dead, but man, that was weird!

[combatentomologist]

Kritters, Kantinka, Hurtin1, everyone thanks for the warm welcome and the chance to let my head stop spinning since coming on board. Sheesh, you guys are logging some serious research time here!

Sorry for the lag in response time but TBH, Me + here = Over*effing*whelmed. I am flattered that you guys think I have any answers for you (lets cross our fingers) and wanted to get up to speed with all the work you guys have been doing. I fear I am still woefully behind, but I am too excited to discuss it to wait any more!

*deep breath* .....Here we go....

Originally Posted by Katinka

You stated, that you've been working with parasitic wasps and I would like to know which pesticides/herbicides were otherwise used and/or in which form the parasitic wasps were/are released on the crops?

Specifically for my projects, absolutely zero pesticides were agreed upon between us and the farmers who let us release in their fields. We also tried to make sure that there would be little to no "drift" or runoff from neighboring plots. We felt you really couldn't get a good representation of how well the parasitic wasps were doing their job on the Agricultural pests if they had chemical help, but besides that, any pesticide use runs the risk of killing off our released parasite. Herbicides were not on our radar and so I'm not sure about those.

Without giving away too much personal info ( all my research is still available online) I worked with a few wasps that were of interest in controlling very common, very pervasive pests of a number of California crops. I mean - these guys (the target pests we are trying to bring down in numbers) would literally interfere with basic photosynthesis of the crops because they would blanket in such high numbers - for acres and acres. Not to mention suck the plants dry of any cellular fluid. These are massively destructive imported pests. Even with a successful parasite abatement program, these jerks are only taking a small hit in the numbers book - but hey, its California and we care about lowering pesticide use by 5%!!!

Originally Posted by Katinka

Are the parasitic wasps in their natural, pure form or are they modified respectively gene manipulated? Do you know?

My little guys were au natural, imports from overseas (exotic pests call for exotic Predators) that we then reared at our facility here in CA. They were fed their Prey (organically raised prey I might add) and an organic Fructose water (35%) that I would pick up from the local foods co-op. These were the cleanest, most spoiled parasitic wasps you might have the pleasure to meet.

Now, I can only speak for my program and my parasite - and am in no way meaning to discount or discredit any theroies put forth here - but my little wasps - the sorriest bunch of weak parasites evah! (though their cuteness factor was off the charts) (in Lab testing scenarios) They had trouble recognizing the prey, parasitizing the prey properly for offspring survival, trouble remembering to drink sugar water and die of dehydration, they attracted fungus like no tomorrow as well! They have no other prey besides the ONE species of pest we had focused on, and then couldn't even be bothered to find them in the field and parasitize them. Really, really pretty wasps - really really stupid. IMO, parasitic wasps of agricultural pests are very, very specific and do not readily jump hosts, let alone do an effective job of controlling pest numbers. But this is only my opinion of parasitic wasps of agricultural pests - not parasites of plants, not mammal's, not other inverts; and not of parasitic moths, or flies, or a myriad of other sneaky little things that we refer to as "Obligate" Parasites. Sort of the more tramp-ish side of the Parasite world. These class acts will take a warm body - any warm body. These, in my best guess are part of what the problem is for us and the M's. Flies are sort of the king of obligates in the Ento World - so that Myaisis thread looks pretty interesting right about now....

- Combat Entomologist