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Survival of
the fittest: tawon Predator berkembang biak dengan mengorbankan remaja
laba-laba
Survival of the fittest: Predator wasps breed at the expense of spider
juveniles
Date:
February 4,
2013
Source:
Pensoft Publishers
Summary:
A study conducted in Portugal reveals the dark secrets
of two wasp species whose larvae feed on ant-eating spiders Zodarion
styliferum. The juveniles of the host find their death while hidden away in a
stone igloo nest, ironically built for their protection.
.................
Two wasp species, Calymmochilus dispar
and Gelis apterus, have been recorded
as parasitoids on ant-eating spiders in a study published in the open access
journal ZooKeys. The host spider, Zodarion styliferum, belongs to the
largest genus of predominantly ant-eating spiders. Their distribution area
includes Europe, Asia and North Africa, significantly with at least 35 species
reported for the Iberian Peninsula only, marking a record in numbers in
Portugal, where this study was conducted.
Available
data on the biology of the host spider shows that all species of the genus Zodarion
are compulsory ant eaters. What is interesting is that these spiders perform
aggressive mimicry, i.e. disguise as ants to help them in their hunt and to
capture their prey. These crafty hunters are often nocturnal wanderers and
mainly active in twilight.
During the
day, these spiders remain hidden in carefully built igloo-shaped stone retreats
that are attached to the underside of rocks or dead wood. The igloos provide
protection against unfavourable environmental conditions and enemies such as
ants.
Despite
these evolutionary advancements in the fight for survival, however, the Z.
styliferum spider turns out to be an easy victim for wasp species in their
strive for reproduction.
The
predatory wasp attacks during daylight when the spiders are inactive. The
females of the parasitoid species attack the hosts in the shelter of their
igloo, penetrating the walls with their long ovipositors. When collected for
this study, the wasp larvae were attached to the abdomen of an immobilised
spider juvenile, which they used as food for their own development.
Apart from
feeding on the juveniles, the peculiar home of the ant-eating host provides
another convenience for the parasites. The larva of G. apterus makes a
cocoon inside the spider igloo before pupation. The other species (C. dispar),
however, does not create a cocoon. Rather, it takes advantage of the already
built spider igloo to help protect the bare larvae inside.
Such
parasitoid behavior is common among wasp species. The author of the original research
article, Dr. Korenko from the Department of Agroecology and Biometeorology of
the Czech University of Life Sciences explains: "Several groups of
Hymenoptera develop on spider hosts feeding on the flesh of the spider or on
its eggs. The parasitoids attack a number of spiders ranging from ground
dwelling and fast moving hunters like wolf spiders to web spiders such as
orb-web weavers that stay on webs during most of their life."
Story
Source:
The above
story is based on materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. Note: Materials may be edited
for content and length.
Journal Reference:
- Stanislav Korenko, Stefan Schmidt, Martin Schwarz, Gary Gibson, Stano Pekar. Hymenopteran parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae, Zodariidae). ZooKeys, 2013; 262 (0): 1 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.262.3857
