Figure 6
dauber pupae are free if you have a source
of the life cycle. In nature, the vast major-
of nests, but fly pupae are convenient
ity of wowbugs die without ever finding a
because they can be ordered at relatively
new host. In the laboratory, we euthanize
low cost from commercial suppliers and
unneeded wasps by placing them in the
kept in the refrigerator until needed.
freezer. Because they are cold blooded,
When a wowbug finds a host, she punc-
this is the most humane method for dis-
tures the host’s thin skin and drinks juices
posing of any insect.
from the host’s body. The juices provide
even after the death of a wowbug, there
her with the nourishment necessary for her
are still possible activities involving mea-
eggs to develop. Then she spends several
suring and counting that are presented in an
days laying batches of eggs on the host’s
activity in the Wowbugs book; for example,
skin.
how many males and how many females
Within three days after an egg is laid,
can be produced from a single host? !
it hatches into a larva with a voracious
appetite. Soon, nothing is left of the host
but dust. Now fully fed, the larvae pupate.
Resources
After about three weeks from the time the
mother locates a host, her adult offspring Matthews, R. W. “Teaching ecological Interactions
begin to emerge (see Figure 6).
with Mud-Dauber Nests.” American Biology
Males appear first. They are honey-
Teacher 59 (1997): 152–158.
Matthews, R. W. and J. M. gonzález, J. R. Mat-
colored, with stumpy wings and antler-
thews and L. D. Deyrup. “Biology of the Para-
shaped antennae. They have no com- sitoid, Melittobia (Hymenoptera: eulophidae).”
pound eyes—they normally spend their
Annual Review of Entomology 54 (2009):
entire short life in darkness inside the
251–266.
Matthews, R. W., T. R. Koballa Jr., L. R. Flage, and
host cocoon, where they produce an odor
Bob and Janice Matthews
e. J. Pyle. Wowbugs: New Life for Life Science.
highly attractive to unmated females.
are entomologists based
Athens, gA: Riverview Press, 1996.
“The WOWBug: getting a Closer Look.” Lesson 2,
at the University of Geor-
(Mated females simply ignore it.) If two
pp. 12–25, in: STC/MS Organisms: From Macro
gia. With support from the
males find each other instead, the result is
to Micro. Student Guide and Source Book.
National Science Founda-
often a vicious battle.
Smithsonian/National Academies National Sci-
tion, they have developed
Females appear second. They are jet
ence Resources Center, 2003.
many new curricular
black, with normal eyes and fully devel-
Working with Wowbugs. Available as three VHS
materials using insects to
oped wings. They must leave the depleted
tapes or a single DVD from Riverview Press,
enhance the life science
www.riverviewpress.com. Comprehensive film
curriculum at all educa-
host for the cycle of life to continue.
footage of wowbug rearing, maintenance, biol- tional levels. The second
Despite having wings, they seldom fly,
ogy, life cycle, and mud dauber biology. edition of their college
preferring to walk, run, or hop. Because http://www.wowbugs.com. Bilingual (Spanish and textbook, Insect Behavior,
hundreds of females emerge from a single
english). Activities, classroom management sug- has just been published by
host, it isn’t long before at least some find
gestions, detailed instructions, extensive anno-
Springer. Both welcome e-
tated bibliography.
mail from teachers and stu-
other suitable hosts nearby.
dents at bugdoc@uga.edu.
Death is a natural and important part
© synergy learning • 800-769-6199 • March/april 2010 Connect • page 11