Variation of success of Leptopilina boulardi in Drosophila yakuba:: The mechanisms explored

Despite an increasing knowledge of insect immune defences and virulence strategies used by parasitoids to escape them, the mechanisms underlying variation of success between parasitoid strains are still poorly understood. We have investigated this point using two tines of the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi that differ in virulence towards Drosophila yokuba. By injecting oil drops in D. yokuba larvae parasitized by virulent ISy females and then dissecting the larvae at different times following injection, we demonstrate that the ISy tine alters host encapsulation ability but only during the early parasitism period. This effect is mimicked by injecting venom gland extracts, indicating that venom proteins are likely involved in immunosuppression. By contrast, the ISm line, unsuccessful on D. yokuba, has no immunosuppressive effect. This variation in virulence may be explained by the striking difference we report in haemocytic profiles between ISm- and ISy-parasitized larvae. We discuss our results in the light of our knowledge of the strategies evolved by Leptopilina species to counteract the D. melanogaster immune system as well as the role of parasitoid venoms in intra-specific variation of parasitoid virulence. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.