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++++Latest paper from our research unit++++

Sugar feeding by adult ichneumonoid and stephanoid wasps (Hymenoptera) in dry evergreen forest, Thailand
Journal: Insect Conservation and Diversity (Tier1)

Our latest study provides the first insight into the nutritional ecology of tropical parasitoid wasps.

Over 2,000 specimens of ichneumonid and stephanid wasps were collected from the dry evergreen forest at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, northeastern Thailand.

Each specimen was identified using both morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding.

To understand how sugar feeding relates to the biology of these wasps, we used two complementary sugar detection methods — the cold anthrone test and HPAEC-PAD (high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection), in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry, Chulalongkorn University.

Our results revealed that sugar feeding is strongly linked to both body size and seasonality — larger individuals were significantly more likely to contain sugar.

Moreover, sugar-feeding prevalence differed according to life-history strategies in both ichneumonoid families (Braconidae and Ichneumonidae), but in opposite directions.
This study marks an important first step toward understanding the nutritional ecology of tropical parasitoid wasps in their natural habitats.

Many thanks to Ajarn Rath Pichyangkura and Ajarn Karan Wangpaiboon from the Department of Biochemistry for this valuable initial collaboration.

Special thanks also to the Second Century Fund (C2F) for supporting KC in publishing this Tier 1 paper.

Full paper: Chansri, K., Pichyangkura, R.,Wangpaiboon, K., Quicke, D.L.J. & Butcher, B.A. (2025) Sugar feeding by adult ichneumonoid and stephanoid wasps (Hymenoptera) in dry evergreen forest, Thailand. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 1–15. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.70031
doi.org