Drosophila resistance genes to parasitoids: chromosomal location and linkage analysis

Insect hosts can survive infection by parasitoids using the encapsulation p henomenon. In Drosophila melanogaster the abilities to encapsulate the wasp species Leptopilina boulardi and Asobara tabida each involve one major gen e. Both resistance genes have been precisely localized on the second chromo some, 35 centimorgans apart. This result clearly demonstrates the involveme nt of at least two separate genetic systems in Drosophila resistance to par asitoid wasps. The resistance genes to L. boulardi and A. tabida are not cl ustered as opposed to many plant resistance genes to pathogens cloned to da te.