Morphometrics of Emerald Ash Borer Parasitoid Wasps
Anastasia, Christina
Anastasia, Christina
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Abstract
Classical biological control can be important for managing invasive species, such as the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis. Emerald ash borer preys on ash tree populations and has had a severe impact on ash tree prevalence, thus increasing ash tree mortality. Although, parasitoids of the emerald ash borer have been found to act as a biological control method for the ash tree-killing pests. In this research study, the morphometrics of EAB parasitoid wasps, Tetrastichus planipennisi, were investigated. The parasitoid wasps were reared from the USDA-ARS BIIRU Laboratory and placed in experimental jars, uncovered (control) or covered (treatment), at three plots in the Jericho Research Forest. The individuals in the uncovered/covered jars experienced different photoperiods/ shading, which was hypothesized to influence the growth and development of the wasps. Experimental jars were collected after overwintering and wasps were labeled where they were found, inside or outside of the ash tree log. Wasps were examined using Leica Biosystems imaging software and morphometric values were measured using Image J software. A series of 12 measurements were taken for each wasp (notum length, total body length, right-wing length, right hind tibia length, notum width, right-wing width, pronotum length, pronotum width, ovipositor length, head; right-left, dorsal-ventral, and anterior-posterior). Analysis of variance and TUKEY tests were done using R Studio Software, where the relationship between variables was shown through boxplots and correlation plots. Treatment and control (amount of shading/photoperiod) conditions displayed a significant difference in 9 of the 12 morphometric measurements observed, hence there is evidence that supports the hypothesis of photoperiod influencing the development of EAB parasitoids. There were no differences in morphometric values found for individuals found inside or outside the Ash tree branches, where further investigation and data collection are needed to properly conclude potential morphometric differences. These findings are a step towards understanding the impact of morphometric differences in T. planipennisi and how these differences may influence the species' role as a biological control agent for emerald ash borer populations across the U.S.
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Undergraduate
Date
2024-01-01