Figure 7. Field methods and dsRNA delivery.

A: “Wasp boxes” have lift-off lids and wire mesh across the open bottom. Boxes were put in place in springtime prior to natural nest establishment on the undersides of lids by P. metricus foundresses. The early foundress phase nest in this box is indicated by the arrow. B: A reproductive phase study nest on the underside of a box lid during the experiments. Newly-spun cocoons of larvae that had received dsRNA were marked with dots of paint (inset). C: dsRNA and sucrose solutions were carried to the field on ice and mixed immediately prior to larval treatments. D: dsRNA/sucrose solution was fed directly to the mouthparts of large 5^th-instar larvae via micropipette. Larvae consumed the sample quickly, generally in ∼1 sec.