Emerald Cockroach Wasp Controls Cockroach For Improved Fitness

Ampulex compressa, known as the emerald cockroach wasp has a strange way of delivering off spring; this parasite uses a live cockroach to feed her young. First the female emerald cockroach wasp finds a suitable cockroach victim and stings the underside of the cockroach so that the cockroach cannot fight back. Next, the emerald cockroach wasp injects venom into the brain of the cockroach so that it cannot control its own movements and leads the cockroach underground by taking hold of the cockroach’s antennae. Once underground, the emerald cockroach wasp lays an egg in the abdomen of the cockroach (Espelie 2012). The venom lasts 4 to 5 weeks until the new offspring hatches. Offspring then feed off the cockroach as it dies (Miller 2004).

                The accuracy needed to successfully inject venom in a cockroach’s brain is astonishing. The emerald cockroach wasp has sensory receptors on its stinger that connect directly to the wasp’s brain. This allows the wasp to know exactly where it is injecting its venom. This is a prime example on how species evolve to become specialized in a specific area in order to survive. The emerald cockroach wasp has become reliant on its skills at accurately injecting powerful venom into its pray to increase fitness (Miller 2004).

                A recent study conducted by Rosenberg, Glusman, and Libersat (2007), found that the neurotoxin found in the emerald cockroach wasp is also specialized. The study found that the venom affects octopamine receptors in the cockroach’s brain. Octopamine is a neurotransmitter that responds to stimuli. The venom works to inhibit octopamine receptors. Therefore the cockroach is not capable registering stimuli and being able to react to it while the wasp controls it (Rosenberg et al. 2007).

Work Cited

Espelie, Erin. “The Natural Explanation”. Natural History. 2012. Vol. 120 (6). P 4

Miller, Greg. “A Wasp With a Taste For Brain”. Science Now. Aug 2004. P 3-4

Rosenberg, Lior A., Jose G. Glusman, and Frederic Libersat. “Octopamine Partially Walking In Hypokinetic Cockroaches Stung By the Parasitoid Wasp Ampulex compressa. The Journal of Experimental Biology. 2007. P 4411-4417.