The Use of Parasitoid Wasps (Leptopilina heteratoma) in Biology Laboratory Courses?
Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2017, Volume 38
Antonia Florio, Michelle Batchu, & Kathleen A. Nolan
Abstract
The parasitoid wasp, Leptopilina heterotoma, infects the second instar stage larvae of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. This process can be used to enhance student interest in parasitology, genetics, and developmental biology courses. Students can conduct a variety of research studies, including determining the efficacy of infectivity of various mutants of fruit flies. First, students subculture various mutants of fruit flies and wait until second instar larvae have developed. They then remove the adult flies and coat the inside of the plug with honey, which will serve as the food source for the wasps. They then anaesthetize the wasps and add them to the vials with the fruit fly larvae. They can then count surviving adult fruit flies after the normal fly life cycle in both wasp-infected and uninfected flies. The wasps that infect the larvae take 25–30 days to hatch and produce a new source of wasps. Other species of these non-stinging parasitoid wasps have also been sold commercially for pest control. Pros and cons of using parasitoid wasps in this manner can be added to round out the laboratory experience for the student.
