Butterfly anti-aphrodisiac lures parasitic wasps

Nina E. Fatouros, Martinus E. Huigens, Joop J. A. van Loon, Marcel Dicke and Monika Hilker ()
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Nina E. Fatouros: Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin
Martinus E. Huigens: Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University
Joop J. A. van Loon: Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University
Marcel Dicke: Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University
Monika Hilker: Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin

Nature, 2005, vol. 433, issue 7027, 704-704

Abstract: Insect parasites: fatal repulsion Some parasitic wasps can locate their insect hosts by intercepting their chemical communications. An intriguing refinement of this technique has now been discovered. The tiny wasp Trichogramma brassicae intercepts an anti-aphrodisiac passed from male to female large white butterflies during mating, to make them less attractive to rival males. A wasp detecting the odour of a mated female butterfly first hitches a ride, then parasitizes the new-laid eggs. This strategy, if widespread, could severely limit the evolution of sexual communication between hosts.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/433704a

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