A predator threat is communicated through visual cues within species across the genus Drosophila, modulating reproductive behavior and caspase activation.

<p>(A) Standard experimental design. (B) Percentage of eggs laid by exposed flies normalized to eggs laid by unexposed flies is shown. Wild-type <i>D</i>. <i>melanogaster</i> (Canton S) exposed to wasps lay fewer eggs than unexposed flies. (C) Phylogeny of 8 species tested across the genus Drosophila that demonstrate the ability to communicate through visual cues. Green boxes indicate social learning is present in species tested. Representative ovary of control and wasp exposed Drosophila showing caspase activation (<i>D</i>. <i>melanogaster</i>). DAPI (D, H), activated Dcp-1 (E, I), WGA (F,J), and the merged images (G, K) are shown. Arrows denote apoptotic egg chambers. Error bars represent standard error (n = 12 biological replicates) (*p < 0.05).