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III. Benefits of Using Nasonia for Scientific Research
There are many reasons why Nasonia vitripennis is an excellent research organism. For example, its
small size, short life cycle, and ability to produce many offspring are advantageous in the study of
animal behavior and genetics. Many scientists prefer to work with Nasonia over other research
organisms because they are very simple to culture, handle, and maintain.
A. Arresting Development of Nasonia and Sarcophaga
The developmental rates of Nasonia and Sarcophaga are dependent upon temperature and
exposure to light. Standard culturing conditions are 25°C and 24 hours of light per day. Cooler
temperatures and less exposure to light will slow down the development of both organisms. A
temperature of 4°C is ideal for arresting development. By controlling temperature and exposure to
light, scientists are able to carefully plan their experiments for maximum efficiency.
B. Observation of Developmental Stages and Timing
The various stages of Nasonia development can be observed at anytime by cracking open
a parasitized Sarcophaga pupa. Each stage is an indicator of the amount of time before the
Nasonia reach adulthood. This ease of observation makes it convenient for scientists to schedule
their laboratories around weekends and holidays, etc.
Sarcophaga Life Cycle Nasonia Life Cycle
Figure 1: Sarcophaga Figure 2: Nasonia
