Parasitoid wasp uses a venom cocktail injected into the brain to manipulate the behavior and metabolism of its cockroach prey

摘要: Unlike other venomous predators, the parasitoid wasp Ampulex compressa incapacitates its prey, cockroach Periplaneta americana, to provide a fresh food supply for offspring. We first established that larval development, from egg laying pupation, lasts about 8 days during which must remain alive but immobile. To this end, injects cocktail of neurotoxins manipulate behavior cockroach. The is injected directly into head ganglia using biosensors located on stinger. sting induces 30 min intense grooming followed by hypokinesia unable generate an escape response. In addition, stung cockroaches survive longer, lose less water, and consume oxygen. Dopamine contained in venom appears be responsible inducing behavior. For hypokinesia, our hypothesis affects neurons ganglia, send descending tonic input bioaminergic neurons. These, turn, control thoracic premotor circuitry locomotion. show activity identified octopaminergic altered animals. alteration neurons' could one mechanisms modulates circuit cockroach's central nervous system metabolism peripheral system.