How Much Water Do Wasps Drink?
WouterAlmost all insects need water to survive. Insects use water to cool themselves, to hydrate their bodies, and to construct their nests. Some insects drink water directly by sucking, while others use it as a source of energy. The amount of water that wasps drink and their strategy for taking it are not well-studied.
In most insect species, the primary method for taking hydration is through sucking. Some species of wasps use water to cool themselves in nests on hot days. Others collect water by hovering over a water source. This strategy, referred to as host-feeding, is common in parasitic wasps.
In the first assay, female wasps were isolated from their hosts in a flat tube. The tubes were then filled with water. The wasps were observed for 30 minutes under a stereomicroscope. They were then released individually into an arena with three SWD pupae. The females were filmed for a total of 30 minutes.
The results showed that the female wasps practiced host-feeding when hungry. However, the duration and number of hosts offered to the females varied among the different treatments. The length of host-feeding behavior was significantly longer for females that were water-deprived.
Host-feeding is also believed to enhance female fecundity. In addition, it increases flight capacity. However, it has never been proven that this strategy can increase longevity.
The researchers found that the female wasps that had access to free water lived longer. In addition, they were able to feed on concentrated honeydew, fruit juices, and plant secretions.
