Encapsulation ability of Drosophila melanogaster: a genetic analysis.

Insects are able to effectively recognize parasitoid eggs or larvae and to eliminate them by formation of a hemocytic capsule. Although the cellular process is now well documented, the genetic aspects of recognition of foreignness and the encapsulation process are still poorly understood. Experiments using the isofemale-strain method showed that the encapsulating ability of Drosophila melanogaster exercised against a parasitic wasp varies within a given population and that this variability is under partial genetic control.