Search performance and octopamine neuronal signaling mediate parasitoid induced changes in Drosophila oviposition behavior

Lan Pang, Zhiguo Liu, Jiani Chen, Zhi Dong, Sicong Zhou, Qichao Zhang, Yueqi Lu, Yifeng Sheng, Xuexin Chen and Jianhua Huang ()
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Lan Pang: Zhejiang University
Zhiguo Liu: Zhejiang University
Jiani Chen: Zhejiang University
Zhi Dong: Zhejiang University
Sicong Zhou: Zhejiang University
Qichao Zhang: Zhejiang University
Yueqi Lu: Zhejiang University
Yifeng Sheng: Zhejiang University
Xuexin Chen: Zhejiang University
Jianhua Huang: Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Making the appropriate responses to predation risk is essential for the survival of an organism; however, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we find that Drosophila has evolved an adaptive strategy to manage the threat from its parasitoid wasp by manipulating the oviposition behavior. Through perception of the differences in host search performance of wasps, Drosophila is able to recognize younger wasps as a higher level of threat and consequently depress the oviposition. We further show that this antiparasitoid behavior is mediated by the regulation of the expression of Tdc2 and Tβh in the ventral nerve cord via LC4 visual projection neurons, which in turn leads to the dramatic reduction in octopamine and the resulting dysfunction of mature follicle trimming and rupture. Our study uncovers a detailed mechanism underlying the defensive behavior in insects that may advance our understanding of predator avoidance in animals.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32203-5

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