The Jewel WaspBiology 342 Fall 2010Briana Patton and Lisa Schomaker |
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Exoparacitism in Ampulex compressa With a carefully delivered sting, the wasp injects a venom directly into the cockroach's head ganglia producing a prolonged period of grooming followed by a hypokinetic state which, if no larva is implanted, can last for several days. During hypokinesis, the wasp grips the cockroach's antennae and leads it to a burrow. The wasp then deposits an egg on the cockroach's belly, seals the burrow, and leaves. Three days later, the larva hatches and begins to feed on the hemolymph of the cockroach. Soon after, the larva bites a hole ix n the cuticle of the cockroach and begins to feed on its internal organs, at which point the host dies. The larva then pupates inside the cockroach's abdomen and emerges from the burrow as a mature adult about five weeks later.
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