Investigations of Antennal morphology and Male sperm drop and mating latency using Nasonia males

Abstract

Antennae being an important organ for the insects is studied enormously to see the structures and receptors present on it to help the insect in judging its environment. It also plays a role in finding food and mates. So, it is important to study the changes and effects of these changes in this organ. The first part of this study investigates the antennal morphology of the Nasonia males, showing that the main variation was in the flagellum of the antennae. We found that the flagellum of Nasonia oneida is the longest among all. This longer phenotype of the male flagella is thought to have advantage of having more sensilla present on it and hence, a better sensing capability for the location of food, nest and mate. The males of short-lived parasitoids are thought to be born with a lifelong sperm stock causing the male to lose its potency after multiple mating. In the second part of this study, our investigation of the mating latency in males showed variations in the mating capability among the four species of Nasonia. The males of Nasonia vitripennis and Nasonia giraulti showed a higher rate of mating as compared to Nasonia longicornis. However, Nasonia longicornis showed the highest rate of successful inseminations while Nasonia vitripennis showed the least.