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At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Extreme resistance to desiccation and microclimate-related differences in cold-hardiness of gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) overwintering on roses in southern Canada.

Four species of cynipid wasp of the genus Diplolepis that induce galls on roses (Rosa species) in southern Canada and two species of inquiline cynipid associated with these galls were studied for their cold-hardiness and resistance to water loss and for possible links between these adaptations. Mid-winter-acclimated supranivean D. spinosa and Periclistus pirata had lower supercooling points (-38 to -40 degrees C) and higher hemolymph osmolalities (1760-1849 mosmol kg(-1)) than subnivean D. polita, D. gracilis, D. radicum and Periclistus sp. (-31 to -32 degrees C and 977-1464 mosmol kg(-1), respectively). During a simulated transition from summer/fall to mid-winter conditions, the glycerol concentration of D. spinosa more than tripled, reaching a final value of 0.98 moll(-1), while its supercooling point decreased by 13 degrees C from the initial value of -27.4 degrees C; however, glycerol concentration and supercooling point did not change for the subnivean species. The permeability of the cuticle of all species was extremely low (0.33-1.00 microg h(-1) cm(-2) mmHg(-1) at 5 degrees C and 0 % relative humidity; 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), even compared with that of desert species; however, there was no difference in cuticular permeability between supranivean and subnivean prepupae. Transition temperatures ranged between 32.3 and 34.6 degrees C; below 30 degrees C, temperature had little effect on rates of water loss for all species (Q(10)=1.13-1.87).

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2023

The genome sequence of the small wasp-sawfly, Tenthredo distinguenda (R. Stein, 1885).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Tenthredo distinguenda (the small wasp-sawfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Tenthredinidae). The genome sequence is 229.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 9 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 31.6 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 11,332 protein coding genes.

Hymenoptera↗
PubMed2025

The genome sequence of the solitary wasp, Cerceris ruficornis (Fabricius, 1793).

We present a genome assembly from a female specimen of Cerceris ruficornis (solitary wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Crabronidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 566.08 megabases, of which 65.35% is scaffolded into 14 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 18.07 kilobases. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 11,093 protein-coding genes.

Cerceris ruficornis↗
PubMed2025

The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Netelia melanura (Thomson, 1888) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Netelia melanura (ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 253.87 megabases. Most of the assembly (94.81%) is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 28.04 kilobases. This assembly was generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, which produces reference genomes for eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland.

Netelia melanura; ichneumonid wasp; genome sequenc↗
PubMed2026

The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst, 1829) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Venturia canescens (ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 299.96 megabases. Most of the assembly (97.25%) is scaffolded into 11 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 27.35 kilobases. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 14 281 protein-coding genes. This assembly was generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, which produces reference genomes for eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland.

Hymenoptera↗
PubMed2026

The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Promethes sulcator (Gravenhorst, 1829) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Promethes sulcator (ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 278.74 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.67%) is scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 29.43 kilobases. This assembly was generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, which produces genomes for eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland.

Hymenoptera↗
PubMed1981

Liquid-phase synthesis of naturally occurring peptides, II. Syntheses of three mast cell degranulating tetradecapeptide amides from wasp venoms.

The liquid-phase synthesis of three tetradecapeptideamides corresponding to the amino acid sequences of the wasp venoms mastoparan, mastoparan X, and Polistes mastoparan is described. The 4-(aminomethyl)-3-nitrobenzoyl-amino-poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether was employed as the soluble support, and the completed peptideamides were cleaved from it by photolysis at 350 nm. After removal of protecting groups, the free peptide amides were purified by column chromatography on Sephadex G-25, and found to have expected elemental and amino acid composition; a satisfactory recovery of tryptophan from synthetic Mastoparan X and Polistes Mastoparan suggests that no extensive destruction of its indole ring occurred during the photolysis. The peptideamides so obtained are active in degranulating the rat peritoneal mast cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

No patrigenes required for femaleness in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis.

The parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis is an emerging model organism for developmental and behavioral genetics. It reproduces by haplodiploidy; males typically develop parthenogenetically from haploid eggs and females from fertilized diploid eggs. A polyploid mutant strain is available in which females are triploid and lay haploid and diploid eggs that normally develop into males when unfertilized. In contrast to previous reports, approximately 2% of triploid females were found to occasionally produce daughters as well as gynandromorphs from diploid unfertilized eggs. Daughter production increased with age and differed among familial lineages. This is the first report of parthenogenetic female development in Nasonia. The results show that a paternally provided genome is not required for femaleness and call for modifications of existing models of sex determination in Nasonia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Inheritance of gynandromorphism in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis.

The parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis has haplo-diploid sex determination. Males develop from unfertilized eggs and are haploid, whereas females develop from fertilized eggs and are diploid. Females and males can be easily distinguished by their morphology. A strain that produces individuals with both male and female features (gynandromorphs) is studied. We provide data on female/male patterning within and between individuals, on environmental effects influencing the occurrence of gynandromorphism, and on its pattern of inheritance. A clear anterior/posterior pattern of feminization is evident in gynandromorphic individuals that developed from unfertilized haploid eggs. The proportion of gynandromorphic individuals can be increased by exposing the mothers to high temperature and also by exposing embryos at early stages of development. Selection for increased gynandromorph frequency was successful. Backcross and introgression experiments showed that a combination of a nuclear and a heritable cytoplasmic component causes gynandromorphism. Analyses of reciprocal F(2) and F(3) progeny indicate a maternal effect locus (gyn1) that maps to chromosome IV. Coupled with previous studies, our results are consistent with a N. vitripennis sex determination involving a maternal/zygotic balance system and/or maternal imprinting. Genetics and temperature effects suggest a temperature-sensitive mutation of a maternally produced masculinizing product that acts during a critical period in early embryogenesis.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

A new mite of the winterschmidtiid genus Ensliniella (Acari: Astigmata) associated with the vespid wasp Allodynerus mandschuricus (Insecta: Hymenoptera) from Japan.

A new species of Ensliniella is described from deutonymphs from two localities in central Japan as the seventh species of the genus. Ensliniella asiatica sp. nov., found in the nests and acarinaria (mite chambers) of the vespid wasp Allodynerus mandschuricus, differs from the most similar species, E. kostylevi, in having a more reduced, shorter, subconical solenidion psi on tibia IV and ensiform setae e and r on tarsus III. It is readily distinguished from the remaining five known congeners in having a solenidion omega2 on tarsus I. This is the second species of Ensliniella known from Japan.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Recombinant allergens with reduced allergenicity but retaining immunogenicity of the natural allergens: hybrids of yellow jacket and paper wasp venom allergen antigen 5s.

The homologous venom allergen Ag 5s from the yellow jacket (Vespula vulgaris) and paper wasp (Polistes annularis) have 59% sequence identity of their respective 204 and 205 amino acid residues, and they have low degrees of antigenic cross-reactivity in insect allergic patients and in animal models. Hybrids containing different segments of these two vespid Ag 5s were expressed in yeast. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggests the hybrids to have the secondary structure of natural Ag 5. Inhibition ELISA with human and murine Abs suggests the hybrids to have the discontinuous B cell epitopes of the natural Ag 5 but with an altered epitope density. The hybrids were immunogenic in mice for B and T cell responses to both Ag 5s. The N-terminal region of Ag 5 was found to contain its dominant B cell epitope(s). Hybrids containing 10-49 residues of yellow jacket Ag 5 showed 100- to 3000-fold reduction in allergenicity when tested by histamine release assay with basophils of yellow jacket-sensitive patients. Our findings suggest that hybrids represent a useful approach to map the discontinuous B cell epitope-containing regions of proteins. They also suggest that Ag 5 hybrids may be useful immunotherapeutic reagents in man.

Allergens↗
PubMed1999

Genetic localization of a Drosophila melanogaster resistance gene to a parasitoid wasp and physical mapping of the region.

Drosophila melanogaster larvae usually react against eggs of the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi by surrounding them with a multicellular melanotic capsule. The genetic determinism of this response has been studied previously using susceptible (non-capsule-forming) and resistant (capsule-forming) strains. The results suggest that differences in their encapsulation response involve a single gene, resistance to Leptopilina boulardi (Rlb), with two alleles, the resistant one being dominant. Rlb confers specific protection against Leptopilina boulardi and is thus probably involved in parasitoid recognition. Recent studies have localized this gene on the right arm of the second chromosome and our aim was to precisely determine its genetic and molecular location. Using strains bearing deletions, we demonstrated that resistance to Leptopilina boulardi is conferred by the 55C; 55F3 region and that the 55E2-E6; F3 region is particularly involved. A physical map of the 55C; 56A region was then constructed, based on a set of overlapping cosmid and P1 phage clones. Using single and double digests, cross hybridization of restriction fragments, and location of genetically mapped genes and STSs, a complete, five-enzyme restriction map of this 830-kb region was obtained.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Changes of haemolymph protein profile in the larva of Pericallia ricini (Fabricius) parasitised by the Braconid Wasp, Apanteles taragamae Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Parasitism by the braconid wasp, A. taragamae caused alterations in the haemolymph polypeptides of woolly bear larvae of P. ricini. Analysis of haemolymph proteins by SDS-PAGE and densitometry showed that the quantities of haemolymph proteins were reduced dramatically in the parasitised larvae. Simultaneously, parasitism induced large amount of 95 kDa polypeptides in the haemolymph of the parasitised larvae. Also, a remarkable induction of 43 and 45 kDa polypeptides which are not detectable in non-parasitised larvae appeared in the parasitised larvae.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Novel wasp toxin discriminates between neuronal and cardiac sodium channels.

Pompilidotoxins (PMTXs), derived from the venom of solitary wasp has been known to facilitate synaptic transmission in the lobster neuromuscular junction, and a recent further study from rat trigeminal neurons revealed that the toxin slows Na+ channel inactivation without modifying activation process. Here we report that beta-PMTX modifies rat brain type II Na+ channel alpha-subunit (rBII) expressed in human embryonic kidney cells but fails to act on the rat heart alpha-subunit (rH1) at similar concentrations. We constructed a series of chimeric mutants of rBII and rH1 Na+ channels and compared modification of the steady-state Na+ currents by beta-PMTX. We found that a difference in a single amino acid between Glu-1616 in rBII and Gln-1615 in rH1 at the extracellular loop of D4S3-S4 is crucial for the action of beta-PMTX. PMTXs, which are small peptides with 13 amino acids, would be a potential tool for exploring a new functional moiety of Na+ channels.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2001

Figs and fig wasps: evolution in a microcosm.

Fig wasps are tiny insects that both pollinate and feed upon fig plants. Each species requires the other in order to complete its reproductive cycle. The interaction centres on the unique structure of syconium (fig inflorescence), which provides an intriguing and convenient microcosm for studying the action of both natural and sexual selection.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression of yellow jacket and wasp venom Ag5 allergens in bacteria and in yeast.

Antigen 5 (Ag5), of unknown biological function, is one of the major venom allergens of vespids and fire ants. We have compared the expression of Ag5 in bacteria and in yeast. Recombinant Ag5 from bacteria formed an insoluble intracellular product, which was not properly folded, but that produced in Pichia pastoris was secreted to the extracellular medium. Immunochemical characterizations showed the secreted Ag5 to have the native structure of the natural protein. This is of interest since the B cell epitopes of Ag5 are mainly of the discontinuous type. These studies were made with Ag5s from yellow jacket (Vespula vulgaris) and paper wasp (Polistes annularis), and with hybrid Ag5 molecules that contained partial sequences of these two species. In vitro allergenicity studies with sera from yellow jacket-sensitive patients showed that some of these hybrid molecules had a greatly reduced allergenicity but retained the immunogenicity of the natural allergen. This could be of importance for immunotherapy of this type of allergy.

Allergens↗