Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts
Abstract In many animals, early-life decisions influence long-term fitness. Mantidflies are spider egg predators; their tiny larvae climb aboard spiders to find eggs, but little is known about how they find spiders. We tested the hypothesis that mantidfly larvae (Dicromantispa sayi) detect and respo...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79093-9 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1846172055019454464 |
|---|---|
| author | Laurel B. Lietzenmayer Lisa A. Taylor |
| author_facet | Laurel B. Lietzenmayer Lisa A. Taylor |
| author_sort | Laurel B. Lietzenmayer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In many animals, early-life decisions influence long-term fitness. Mantidflies are spider egg predators; their tiny larvae climb aboard spiders to find eggs, but little is known about how they find spiders. We tested the hypothesis that mantidfly larvae (Dicromantispa sayi) detect and respond to substrate-borne spider cues (e.g., silk and/or excreta). We presented larvae with filter paper exposed to different types of spiders (adult female, adult male, or juvenile Habronattus trimaculatus jumping spiders) versus a no-cue control. Larvae spent more time on filter paper with spider cues. We then tested the hypothesis that mantidflies make finer distinctions between spiders when given direct choices between these cues. Larvae did not discriminate between sexes but spent more time (and exhibited more phoretic behavior) on filter paper with female or male cues compared with juvenile cues. While this suggests that mantidflies actively seek out adult spiders, we also found that adult spiders were more active than juveniles and may have simply deposited more silk and excreta, providing a stronger cue to detect. We discuss these findings in the context of the risks and benefits of different spider hosts, and how early-life spider-searching strategies may shape a mantidfly’s long-term fitness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae087bb37e4242058ca80091c3f6efc4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae087bb37e4242058ca80091c3f6efc42024-11-10T12:20:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111210.1038/s41598-024-79093-9Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hostsLaurel B. Lietzenmayer0Lisa A. Taylor1Entomology and Nematology Department, University of FloridaEntomology and Nematology Department, University of FloridaAbstract In many animals, early-life decisions influence long-term fitness. Mantidflies are spider egg predators; their tiny larvae climb aboard spiders to find eggs, but little is known about how they find spiders. We tested the hypothesis that mantidfly larvae (Dicromantispa sayi) detect and respond to substrate-borne spider cues (e.g., silk and/or excreta). We presented larvae with filter paper exposed to different types of spiders (adult female, adult male, or juvenile Habronattus trimaculatus jumping spiders) versus a no-cue control. Larvae spent more time on filter paper with spider cues. We then tested the hypothesis that mantidflies make finer distinctions between spiders when given direct choices between these cues. Larvae did not discriminate between sexes but spent more time (and exhibited more phoretic behavior) on filter paper with female or male cues compared with juvenile cues. While this suggests that mantidflies actively seek out adult spiders, we also found that adult spiders were more active than juveniles and may have simply deposited more silk and excreta, providing a stronger cue to detect. We discuss these findings in the context of the risks and benefits of different spider hosts, and how early-life spider-searching strategies may shape a mantidfly’s long-term fitness.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79093-9PhoresyForagingEgg sacSpider silkHost searching |
| spellingShingle | Laurel B. Lietzenmayer Lisa A. Taylor Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts Scientific Reports Phoresy Foraging Egg sac Spider silk Host searching |
| title | Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts |
| title_full | Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts |
| title_fullStr | Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts |
| title_short | Mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts |
| title_sort | mantidfly larvae use cues on substrate to locate and distinguish different sexes and life stages of potential spider hosts |
| topic | Phoresy Foraging Egg sac Spider silk Host searching |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79093-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT laurelblietzenmayer mantidflylarvaeusecuesonsubstratetolocateanddistinguishdifferentsexesandlifestagesofpotentialspiderhosts AT lisaataylor mantidflylarvaeusecuesonsubstratetolocateanddistinguishdifferentsexesandlifestagesofpotentialspiderhosts |