Question

Are there studies use recordings to test for parasitoid response (that larvae can be detected through acoustics)? How?

Answer 1

There are studies that use recordings to test for the parasitoid response. Parasitoid is an organism that live in close association with its host. Parasitoid wasps uses acoustic and vibratory signals to sexual communication,to recognize their mates and also for mating. So the male wasp detect the insect host pupa which is parasitized by a female wasp. This male wasp then finds their location and visits frequently and remains on them or close to them. So to test for parasitoid response in a recent study used a laser Doppler vibrometer which is a scientific instrument for recordings. The wax moth is a host for female parasitoids. So few wax moth host pupae are stimulated gently by using paintbrush from the first day till twenty or twenty third day of post parasitism. So the responses are acquired from the developing female parasitoids by laser Doppler vibrometer recordings which is developing in the host. The sound and vibratory signals are detected by these female parasitoids from day 7. As the parasitoid develops these vibratory signals change which informs the adult about its development. Then the adult males fly around and induce some vibrations that makes this female understand about the presence of a male. In this way recordings are used to test for parasitoid responses.