Spectral measure of color variation of black-orange-black (BOB) pattern in small parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a statistical approach

This paper addresses a significant gap in color pattern analysis for small parasitoid wasps by applying advanced statistical methods to spectral data. The study examines the common black-orange-black (BOB) pattern found in neotropical Scelionidae wasps, using microspectrophotometry combined with Functional Data Analysis (FDA) to overcome the methodological challenges of analyzing pigments in insects as small as 2-10 mm. The research demonstrates that FDA provides superior insights compared to traditional univariate methods by preserving the full spectral information. Key findings include evidence that spectral blue components remain nearly identical between black and orange colors across different genera, suggesting common pigment compounds, while other spectral components show genus-specific variations that may correlate with phylogenetic relationships. This work establishes a quantitative framework for color analysis in small insects and provides the foundation for future research into the biological functions of this widespread color pattern.

Recommended citation: Mora-Castro, R., Hernández-Jiménez, M., Alfaro-Córdoba, M., Avendano, E., & Hanson-Snortum, P. (2019). "Spectral measure of color variation of black-orange-black (BOB) pattern in small parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a statistical approach." PLOS ONE. 14(10): e0218061.
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