DOI: 10.5061/dryad.10gm6
title: Data from: Release from prey preservation behavior via prey switch allowed diversification of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in digger wasps

description: The cuticle of insects is covered by a layer of hydrocarbons (CHCs), whose
 original function is the protection from desiccation and pathogens.
 However, in most insects CHC profiles are species-specific. While this
 variability among species was largely linked to communication and
 recognition functions, additional selective forces may shape insect CHC
 profiles. Here we show that in Philanthinae digger wasps (Crabronidae) the
 CHC profile co-evolved with a peculiar brood-care strategy. In particular,
 we found that the behavior to embalm prey stored in the nest with
 hydrocarbons is adaptive to protect larval food from fungi in those
 species hunting for Hymenoptera. The prey embalming secretion is identical
 in composition to the alkene-dominated CHC profile in these species,
 suggesting that their profile is adaptively conserved for this purpose. In
 contrast, prey embalming is not required in those species which switched
 to Coleoptera as prey. Released from this chemical brood-care strategy,
 Coleoptera-hunting species considerably diversified their CHC profiles.
 Differential needs to successfully protect prey types used as larval food
 have thus driven the diversification of CHCs profiles of female
 Philanthinae wasps. To the best of our knowledge, this the first evidence
 of a direct link between selection pressure for food preservation and CHC
 diversity.
description: cuticular hydrocarbon
 profiles of Philanthinae wasp femalescuticular hydrocarbon
 (CHC) profiles of 10 Philanthinae species' female wasps, analyzed by
 GC-MS, substances identified by retention index and diagnostic ions,
 substance amounts given as percentage within an individuals complete CHC
 profile.PhilanthinaePreySpecificity_CHCdata_Percentages_Dryad.xlsxretention of fungal growth on unpreserved prey of Cerceris arenaria and C. sabulosaRetention time of fungal growth on untreated prey items (Coleopteran prey from Cerceris arenaria, Hymenopteran prey from C. sabulosa), values in days scored by three different helpers.PhilanthinaePreySpecificity_UntreatedPrey_FungalGrowth_Dryad.xlsxpotential prey preservation by Cerceris bupresticidaWasp characteristic CHC substances of Cerceris bupresticida females, as well as fresh prey and potentially preserved prey from C. bupresticida nestsPhilanthinaePreySpecificity_PreyConservation_CharacteristicSubstances_Cbupresticida_Dryad.xlsxpotential prey preservation by Cerceris rubidaWasp characteristic CHC substances of Cerceris rubida females, as well as fresh prey and potentially preserved prey from C. rubida nestsPhilanthinaePreySpecificity_PreyConservation_CharacteristicSubstances_Crubida_Dryad.xlsxpotential prey preservation by Cerceris stratiotesWasp characteristic CHC substances of Cerceris stratiotes females, as well as fresh prey and potentially preserved prey from C. stratiotes nestsPhilanthinaePreySpecificity_PreyConservation_CharacteristicSubstances_Cstratiotes_Dryad.xlsxpotential prey preservation by Cerceris sabulosaWasp characteristic CHC substances of Cerceris sabulosa females, as well as fresh prey and potentially preserved prey from C. sabulosa nestsPhilanthinaePreySpecificity_PreyConservation_CharacteristicSubstances_Csabulosa_Dryad.xlsxpotential prey preservation by Cerceris arenariaWasp characteristic CHC substances of Cerceris arenaria females, as well as fresh prey and potentially preserved prey from C. arenaria nestsPhilanthinaePreySpecificity_PreyConservation_CharacteristicSubstances_Carenaria_Dryad.xlsx