Examining the relatedness of behaviors through experimentation: switching on and off chewing and feeding behaviors in a parasitic wasp

Melittobia digitata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are parasitoids known for their cooperative escape behavior. The initial sequences of this escape chewing behavior have been compared to the initial sequences of their feeding behavior. We sought to experimentally test whether these sequences were interc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethology 2007-05, Vol.25 (2), p.205-208
Main Authors: DEYRUP, Leif D, MATTHEWS, Robert W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Animal ethology
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Chewing
Escape behavior
Feeding behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
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Summary:Melittobia digitata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are parasitoids known for their cooperative escape behavior. The initial sequences of this escape chewing behavior have been compared to the initial sequences of their feeding behavior. We sought to experimentally test whether these sequences were interchangeable. We were successful in turning off chewing and turning on feeding in a chewing situation, and turning on chewing and turning off feeding in a feeding context. We discuss the implications of this finding for the origin and evolution of these behaviors, and how experimental tests of key cues can be helpful for understanding the evolution of behavioral patterns.
ISSN:0289-0771
1439-5444
DOI:10.1007/s10164-006-0003-2