Journal of Insect Behavior (2008) 21, 181-191

Eric Darrouzet, Guy Boivin and Claude Chevrier (2008)
Sex allocation decision under superparasitism by the parasitoid wasp Eupelmus vuilleti
Journal of Insect Behavior 21 (3), 181-191
Abstract: Superparasitism is a widespread phenomenon in parasitoids and may be advantageous in some circumstances. In this study, offspring sex ratio was analysed in three superparasitism situations: when the second egg was laid by a random Eupelmus vuilleti (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) female from a group, when an isolated female was allowed to lay two eggs on the same host (self-superparasitism) or laid one egg on a host already parasitized by a conspecific (conspecific superparasitism). Females produced a different offspring sex ratio according to the different superparasitism situations tested. These sex ratios are in line with the local mate competition theory. The results further suggest that females can discriminate between hosts parasitized by a conspecific or by themselves and adapt the sex of the eggs they lay accordingly.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Eric Darrouzet, Guy Boivin, Claude Chevrier

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Eupelmus vuilleti (parasitoid)