Decision making in insects: a parasitic wasp modulates behavior of its cockroach prey by targeting octopaminergic systems.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Pflüger (†)
• Co-Applicant: Professor Frederic Libersat, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2012 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 220039588

Non-human animals, and especially ‘lower’ organisms such as invertebrates, are often seen merely as complex ‘automatons’ that respond stereotypically to environmental cues. However, much like humans, it is now well established that such animals may choose to initiate behavior based on their "internal state", rather than as a response to external stimuli alone. This suggests a non-random endogenous process of decision making, which implies a precursor motif of human “spontaneous” behavior. The neuronal underpinnings responsible for generating this “internal state”, however, remain elusive.Naturally-occurring phenomena, in which spontaneous behavior of non-human animals is manipulated, may contribute to our understanding of the brain circuits involved in determining “internal states”. In a recent study we presented a unique and naturally-occurring phenomenon in which a parasitoid wasp uses neurotoxins to manipulate decision making in its cockroach prey and apparently ‘hijack’ its free will’. Our investigations so far point to one possible neuronal substrate involved in this manipulation via the neuromodulator octopamine. This extensively studied neuromodulator has been shown to link motor activity with behavioral and metabolic states such as arousal, hunger or stress. Therefore, we will examine how the wasp interferes with the octopaminergic system of its cockroach prey to influence its internal state and manipulate decision making processes.The purpose of this joint effort is to explore this issue by combining the expertise of the laboratory (Beer-Sheva, Israel), which has studied the wasp-cockroach system for more than a decade, with the expertise of the laboratory (Berlin, Germany), which specializes in the study of insect neuromodulatory octopaminergic neurons.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel