Announcements > Call for Members: Collecting Parasites!
CALL FOR MEMBERS:
COLLECTING PARASITES!
Louwerens-Jan Nederlof, Rotterdam Zoo, The Netherlands
 A discussion arose during the ECBES conference in Denmark in October 2008 about how best to handle parasites or parasitoids when they occur in our butterfly houses and nurseries. Should we kill the offending insects with our thumbs, or shall we collect the specimens to better understand their occurrence and diversity?
Why collect parasites?
Obviously, the easiest procedure is to kill the parasite and be done with it. Then we are free to focus our attention on the healthy pupae that will emerge fly in our exhibits. It is imaginable that this has been the standard procedure in most butterfly houses. When confronted with this issue, most delegates at the ECBES believed that it would be better that we try to learn from these incidents. Perhaps there is valuable information that we can acquire about our butterfly and moth parasites. The possibility for setting up a databank for those parasites and parasitoids was also discussed. By collecting information and learning about them we could serve other members of the IABES that experience the same problem of infections. Additionally, were we to inventory the parasites that we receive, we would be better prepared to address the legislators and others faced with the challenge of regulating our industry. It was the general consensus in Denmark that we lack sufficient knowledge about “our” parasites and many other matters related to basic butterfly biology and –ecology. It is incumbent upon us as an industry to learn all that we can.
A databank for butterfly parasites will be established in the spring of 2009. This will be a joint effort between specialists of the Dutch Entomological Society (who will identify the specimens) and the Rotterdam Zoo (who will attend to the handling and registration of the specimens). Of course many parasite species will be unknown to breeders, exhibitors and the specialist as well! This is why it is imperative that we begin collecting data from the field.
How to collect?
We must collect the parasites. In many emergence chambers there exists the means to collect parasites like flies (e.g. Tachinidae) and wasps (e.g. Chalcididae). When one finds a fly or wasp, it is important to allow it to live for a few days in a vial, one with a water-proof seal, while it hardens and develops its final color. After 2 to 3 days, one should preserve the specimen(s) in solution of 70% ethanol. Don’t let the parasite ‘swim’ but just fixated it between some tufts of cotton wool. Remnants of the pupa or caterpillar of the host are welcome as well, but these should be sent separately from the parasite in another jar. It is even possible to send dry specimens to the databank. Please be careful not to break any legs and antennae. To avoid this, pack the specimen between a piece of a paper towel or cotton wool.
Determination and results
Once the sample has arrived at the Rotterdam Zoo the sender will receive a confirmation of its receipt. A Dutch specialist (Mr. K. Zwakhals) and a member of the Dutch Entomological Society will try to identify the specimen(s) though this may not always be fast. There are no costs for identifying and preserving the specimens. IABES members need only pay for the packaging and postage costs to the Netherlands.
Whatever findings that will have been made will be presented at the ECBES 2010. The project should be evaluated and discussed then too. We hope that participation in this program will be broad and worldwide. So, let’s give it a try and see what happens!
Thank you for your cooperation and sending the parasites!
Send your specimens to:
Royal Rotterdam Zoo and Botanical Gardens
To: L.J. Nederlof, LH 4
P.O. Box 532
3000 AM Rotterdam
The Netherlands
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