Hans M. Smid
PhD 1998, Wageningen University
Tel: 31-(0)317-482791
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Differences in associative learning in parasitoid wasp species: Tailor-made memory
My research focuses on the role of associative learning in olfactory information processing in parasitoid wasps. Two closely related species are selected as a model system, the generalist Cotesia glomerata and the specialist Cotesia rubecula, which are different in their use of associative learning for host location. They lay their eggs into larvae of pierid species like cabbage white butterflies, Pieris brassicae (L.) and P. rapae. Both wasp species can learn to associate plant odors of a particular plant species with the presence of hosts, after it has encountered suitable host caterpillars on that plant. However, C. glomerata can learn very fast, it forms long term memory after a single learning experience, whereas C. rubecula learns slow; it needs severeal repeated experiences before it froms long term memory. My aim is to find how the observed differences in (host) searching behaviour are reflected in differences at the central and peripheral nervous system. The research goes from behaviour to molecule, and combines neurobiology with evolutionary ecology.
Movie: C. glomerata parasitizing on a caterpillar
My aim is to find how the observed differences in learning are reflected in differences at the central and peripheral nervous system. The research goes from behaviour to molecule, and combines neurobiology with evolutionary ecology.
Main research questions are:
- Why are C. glomerata and C. rubecula different in learning? What makes fast learning more adaptive to C. glomerata than to C. rubecula? Differences in egg laying behaviour of their respective hosts may be one of the factors that determine whether it makes sense to remember the plant on which hosts were found or not.
- Which differences in memory formation occur when wasps are given standardized learning events? The memory structure of the wasps is determined using a behavioural test for memory retention, a windtunnel test where wasps can fly to the plants on which they previously have found hosts
- Which differences in the brains of C. glomerata and C. rubecula are involved in the observed difference in learning? We focus on a set of reward sensitive neurons (based on studies on the honeybee), the ventral median unpaired neurons (VUM neurons).
- Which genes are involved in the difference in learning between C. glomerata and C. rubecula? We currently focus on the expression of a transcription factor known to play a key role in long term memory formation, cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB).
Movie: Cotesia glomerata larvae merging from a caterpillar
Publications
Key publications:
Hoedjes, K. M., Kruidhof, H. M., Huigens, M. E.,
Dicke, M., Vet, L. E., & Smid, H. M. (2011). Natural variation in learning
rate and memory dynamics in parasitoid wasps: Opportunities for converging
ecology and neuroscience. Proc Biol Sci. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2199
Smid, H.M.; Bukovinszky, T.; Wang, G.; Steidle, J.L.M.; Bleeker, M.A.K.; Loon, J.J.A. van; Vet, L.E.M. (2007) Species-specific acquisition and consolidation of long-term memory in parasitic wasps. Proceedings of the Royal Society. B: Biological Sciences 274 (1617). - p. 1539 - 1546.
Smid, H.M.; Bleeker, M.A.K.; Loon, J.J.A. van; Vet, L.E.M. (2003)
Three-dimensional organization of the glomeruli in the antennal lobe of the parasitoid wasps Cotesia glomerata and C. rubecula
Cell and Tissue Research 312 . - p. 237 - 248.
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