Copidosoma floridanum

(Ashmead, 1900)

Copidosoma floridanum is a polyembryonic in the , notable for producing the largest recorded of any parasitoidal —up to 3,055 individuals from a single . Females oviposit into the eggs of plusiine , and the resulting embryos undergo clonal division to form genetically identical siblings. The brood develops into two distinct : reproductive that emerge as wasps, and sterile larvae that defend their siblings from competitors.

Modelo de desarrollo en Copidosoma floridanum by Jfelipeco. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Copidosoma floridanum: /ˌkɒpɪˈdɑːsəmə flɔːrɪˈdeɪnəm/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other by its polyembryonic reproductive mode and production of a sterile . Morphologically similar to congeneric ; definitive identification requires examination of association and developmental characteristics. Male and female soldiers are morphologically identical but differ behaviorally—male soldiers are non-aggressive toward all competitors.

Images

Habitat

Associated with agricultural and natural where occur. Develops internally within host ; no free-living larval stage.

Distribution

distribution worldwide. Recorded from North America (including Florida), South America, Europe (Serbia), and other regions.

Host Associations

Chrysodeixis includens - primary Soybean ; -larval
Trichoplusia ni - primary ; developmental synchronization studied
Pseudoplusia includens - primary Soybean
Plusiinae (subfamily) - groupPrimarily parasitizes in this
Microplitis demolitor - competitorTriggers increased production through multiparasitism
Glyptapanteles pallipes - competitorSuppressed by C. floridanum through physiological mechanisms

Life Cycle

Females oviposit one or two per egg. Each egg undergoes , dividing repeatedly to produce hundreds to thousands of clonal embryos. proceeds through morula stage with invasion of host embryo using adherent junctions. Development synchronizes with host molting cycle: formation and gastrulation of reproductive coincide with host to fifth . Reproductive larvae have two instars, eclosing from eggs during day 2 of host's fifth instar and molting to second instar synchronized with host spinning. larvae develop precociously, beginning embryogenesis during host first instar and ceasing during fourth instar; they never molt and die when host is consumed.

Behavior

Exhibits reproductive through a sterile that defends clonal siblings from interspecific competitors. Soldier aggression is inversely related to competitors' genetic relatedness. Female soldiers attack competitors; male soldiers are non-aggressive. Caste ratio shifts plastically in response to —presence of competitor Microplitis demolitor triggers rapid (within 16 hours) increase in soldier embryo production in female , mediated by of competitor . Kin discrimination occurs through extraembryonic cues; soldiers attack non-kin when membrane is removed or swapped. Displays spite : some larvae develop precociously as that kill relatively unrelated opposite-sex siblings before dying, freeing resources for closer relatives.

Ecological Role

agent of plusiine pests in agricultural systems. and production influence dynamics within shared .

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural agent targeting pest such as the soybean . sequenced as part of the i5K project (Human Genome Sequencing Center) due to phylogenetic importance and agricultural significance. Subject of extensive research on , evolution, and .

Similar Taxa

Copidosoma koehleriCongeneric polyembryonic ; differs in associations and geographic distribution
Copidosoma bakeriCongeneric with similar ; distinguished by range and size characteristics
Microplitis demolitorLarval of same ; but not polyembryonic, produces single offspring per
Glyptapanteles pallipesCompetitor larval in same ; gregarious but not polyembryonic, physiologically suppressed by C. floridanum