Prey specificity and the importance of close-range chemical cues in prey recognition in the digger wasp, Liris niger

Females of the digger wasp species Liris niger paralyzed and layed eggs on six of seven tested cricket species. L. niger females with unmanipulated antennae always rejected the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, but those without antennal flagella paralyzed and layed eggs on it. Even L. niger females from maggots raised artificially on G. bimaculatus never paralyzed it. L. niger first orients toward a prey visually and then touches the prospective prey briefly with its antennal flagella. This contact determines about the suitability of the prey. The ability to differentiate between prey species required at least one partially unmanipulated antennal flagellum. The responsible sensilla were located on the upper surface of the antennal flagella. Chemical cues which make the cricket Acheta domesticus attractive to L. niger females could be transferred to G. bimaculatus.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]