Parasitoids : behavioral and evolutionary ecology / H.C.J. Godfray.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Godfray, H. C. J., 1958-

Series:

Monographs in behavior and ecology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Parasitic insects--Behavior.

Parasitic insects.

Parasitoids--Behavior.

Parasitoids.

Insects--Parasites.

Insects.

Behavior evolution.

Parasites.

Insecta.

Behavior, Animal.

Medical Subjects:

Parasites.

Insecta.

Behavior, Animal.

Physical Description:

473 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, [1994]

Summary:

Parasitoids lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other species of insects, and the parasitoid larvae develop by feeding on the host, causing its eventual death. Known for a long time to applied biologists for their importance in regulating the population densities of economic pests, parasitoids have recently proven to be valuable tools in testing many aspects of evolutionary theory. This book synthesizes the work of both schools of parasitoid biology and asks how a consideration of evolutionary biology can help us understand the behavior, ecology, and diversity of the approximately one to two million species of parasitoids found on earth. After a general introduction to parasitoid natural history and taxonomy, the first part of the book treats the different components of the reproductive strategy of parasitoids: searching for a host, host selection, clutch size, and the sex ratio. Subsequent chapters discuss pathogens and non-Mendelian genetic elements that affect sexual reproduction; evolutionary aspects of the physiological interactions between parasitoid and host; mating strategies; and life history theory and community ecology. A special effort is made to discuss the theoretical background to the subject, but without the use of mathematics.

Contents:

1.2 Parasitoid Natural History 7

1.3 Unusual Life Histories 10

1.4 Parasitoid Taxonomy 16

1.5 Evolutionary Transitions 21

2 Host Location 26

2.1 Conceptual Models of Host Location 26

2.2 Mechanisms of Host Location 29

2.3 Learning 42

2.4 Comparative Studies of Host Location 48

2.5 Patch Use 50

3 Oviposition Behavior 83

3.1 Host Acceptance 83

3.2 Clutch Size 99

3.3 Superparasitism 126

4 Sex Ratio 151

4.1 Sex Determination in Parasitoid Wasps 152

4.2 Fisher's Principle 156

4.3 Local Mate Competition and Sex Ratio in Structured Populations 161

4.4 Sex Ratio and Host Quality 192

4.5 Other Factors 202

5 Selfish Genetic Elements 212

5.1 Non-Mendelian Genetic Elements in Nasonia 212

5.2 Microorganisms and Thelytoky 218

5.3 Primary Male Production in Heteronomous Hyperparasitoids 221

5.4 Gregarious Oviposition in Muscidifurax 222

6 The Immature Parasitoid 225

6.1 Host Quality and the Juvenile Parasitoid 226

6.2 Host Defenses 231

6.3 Countermeasures 235

6.4 Host Manipulation by Endoparasitoids 248

6.5 Interactions between Immature Parasitoids 255

7 The Adult Parasitoid 260

7.1 Size and Fitness 260

7.2 Mating 265

7.3 Resource Defense and Maternal Care 284

7.4 Host Defense against the Adult Parasitoid 285

7.5 Dispersal 291

7.6 Defense from Predators 298

7.7 Host Synchronization 301

8 Life Histories and Community Patterns 307

8.1 Life History Evolution 307

8.2 Host Range and Parasitoid Species Load 321

8.3 Parasitoid Diversity 355.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [367]-447) and indexes.

ISBN:

0691033250

0691000476

OCLC:

27937314