NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE MICROSCOPY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARASITOID WASP VENTURIA-CANESCENS WITHIN ITS HOST MOTH PLODIA-INTERPUNCTELLA

Nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy was used to image the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) within larval an d pupal instars of its host, the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctel la (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The images were obtained using gradient-e cho and chemical shift selective pulse sequences and clearly showed th e location and shapes of the parasitoid as it developed from the L(1) larva to a pupal stage within the host, The digestive, nervous, and tr acheal systems of the host were identified and changes were observed a s the host underwent metamorphosis, Destruction of the host tissues by the parasitoid was visible. It was found that the parasitoid first at e the fat body and digestive system of the host, allowing the host to continue to grow, and only progressed to the vital organs when its own development had neared pupation.