Investigations into a local parasitic plant-galling wasp
[Past Projects]
Dr. R. Joel Duff
I am looking for one or two students who would like to help develop a new area of research in my lab. The research would involve literature and database searches to discover what is known about parasitic plant galling wasps and those of the genus Callirhytis in particular. This small wasp produces billions of galls on trees in the Midwest including here in Akron.
Eventually I will be interested in investigating the complex insect-plant interactions including possibly secondary parasitism on these galls. I am also interested in developing a network for observing outbreaks of galling over many years and obtaining samples from across the range of this galling wasp for genetic studies.
You can read about my observations and pictures of this wasp and the galls it makes here: https://thenaturalhistorian.com/2013/10/01/gall-wasps-fuzzy-orange-galls-on-pin-oak-leaves/
I am aware that almost nothing is known about this particular species so whatever we discover will be new. The research would involve obtaining several forms of preliminary data and helping me to develop ideas for continuing research. That preliminary data would come in the form of morphological characterization of the galls by light and electron microscopy. I would also like to dissect galls to retrieve wasp grubs for DNA extraction, PCR and DNA sequencing. DNA sequences would be first used for baseline comparisons with other species of the genus and family. Student research on the life history of the wasps including the plant-insect interactions are expected to lead to additional research projects that will involve significant student contributions (ideas and data collection).
The project could center around morphological descriptions and field observation or be focused on the molecular genetic characterization of the wasps. I expect the general characterization of the galls with microscopy to be publishable. Additional projects may span the next two or three years and include field observations, collection of samples from multiple hosts and documentation of wasp behavior. I would also like to develop a website to share this work with the pubic.
Click here to find out more about the Duff lab.
