2012 Frederick National Lab and Ft. Detrick Spring Research
Festival How Does a Digger Wasp Protect Her Young? If you don’t
know the answer, you should come to the 16th Annual Spring
Research Festival on May 9 and 10, where this humble creature
takes center stage by representing successful interactions of
organisms. Officially known as Philanthus triangulum, the
beewolf digger wasp takes advantage of symbiotic relationships
to ensure the survival of its offspring. Female digger wasps
grow bacteria on their antennae, which they then smear over the
cocoon containing the larva. These bacteria generate a
“cocktail” of antibiotic substances that specifically target
pathogens that can be deadly to the larvae. According to David
Newman, D.Phil., chief, Natural Products Branch, Developmental
Therapeutics Program, such interactions in nature can be
“‘mined’ for useful leads to treatment of human diseases.” New
Location for the Festival Registration Still Open There’s still
time to register as a poster presenter or exh