{{Short description|Species of wasp}} {{Speciesbox | image = | image_caption = | genus = Microplitis | species = croceipes | authority = (Cresson, 1872)<ref name=systematics>{{cite web|title=Systematics of Parasitic Hymenoptera|url=http://www.life.illinois.edu/whitfield/microplitis/microplitis.htm|publisher=Whitfield Lab, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|accessdate=21 February 2011}}</ref> }}
'''''Microplitis croceipes''''' is a braconid wasp native to the US state of Georgia. It is an important parasitoid of caterpillars, including those of major agricultural pests ''Helicoverpa zea'' (formerly called ''Heliothis zea'') and ''Heliothis virescens''.<ref name=tomberlin>{{cite journal|last=Tomberlin|first=Jeffery K|author2=Moukaram Tertuliano|author3=Glen Rains|author4=W. Joe Lewis|title=Conditioned Microplitis croceipes Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Detect and Respond to 2,4-DNT: Development of a Biological Sensor|journal=J. Forensic Sci.|date=September 2005|volume=50|issue=5|doi=10.1520/JFS2005014|url=http://forensicentomology.tamu.edu/pdf/JFS05014.pdf|accessdate=21 February 2011|pages=JFS2005014-4|pmid=16225227 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720053933/http://forensicentomology.tamu.edu/pdf/JFS05014.pdf|archivedate=20 July 2011}}</ref>
''Microplitis croceipes'' uses its antennae to detect the odor of caterpillar frass, or feces.<ref name=sci1971>{{cite journal|last=Jones|first=Richard L. |author2=W. J. Lewis |author3=Malcolm C. Bowman |author4=Morton Beroza |author5=Barbara A. Bierl |title=Host-Seeking Stimulant for Parasite of Corn Earworm: Isolation, Identification, and Synthesis|journal=Science|year=1971|volume=173|issue=3999|pages=842–843|doi=10.1126/science.173.3999.842|url=https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.173.3999.842|accessdate=21 February 2011 |pmid=17812196|bibcode=1971Sci...173..842J |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The wasp deposits a single egg inside the caterpillar; as the wasp larvae mature they feed on the caterpillar, which weakens and dies after the larvae emerge and pupate.<ref name=natgeo2005>{{cite journal|last=Appel|first=Adrianne|title=Drug-Sniffing Wasps May Sting Crooks|journal=National Geographic News|date=October 27, 2005|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1027_051027_bombsniffwasps.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029083806/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1027_051027_bombsniffwasps.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2005|accessdate=21 February 2011}}</ref> The wasp larvae then spin cocoons and pupate inside them. Adult wasps emerge after a week.<ref name=rearing>{{cite journal|last=Lewis|first=W. J.|author2=R.L. Burton|title=Rearing Microplitis croceipes in the laboratory with Heliothis zea as hosts|journal=Journal of Economic Entomology|year=1970|volume=63|issue=2|pages=656–658|url=http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19700502526.html|accessdate=21 February 2011|doi=10.1093/jee/63.2.656|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Because the olfactory system of ''M. croceipes'' is linked to its taste receptors, wasps can be trained to respond to the smell of an arbitrary chemical if the smell is repeatedly presented in association with food (sugar water or caterpillars).<ref name=natgeo2005/> The smell of "food" triggers a characteristic pattern of activity, a short-range host-seeking response.<ref name=sci1971/> Researchers have said that ''M. croceipes'' has great potential for use as a biological sensor "due to its ability to be conditioned, respond and discriminate target odors from background odors."<ref name=tomberlin/> The Wasp Hound "portable nose" device depends on trained ''M. croceipes'' as its biosensor.<ref name=usatoday2005>{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Mimi|title=Scientists recruit wasps for war on terror|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-12-26-wasps-terrorism_x.htm|accessdate=22 February 2011|newspaper=USAToday|date=26 December 2005}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q6839928}}
Category:Braconidae Category:Hymenoptera of North America Category:Insects described in 1872 Category:Taxa named by Ezra Townsend Cresson Category:Insects used as insect pest control agents Category:Biological pest control wasps