管氏肿腿蜂不同类型种蜂的繁蜂效果研究

经连续多代利用中间寄主黄粉甲人工扩繁管氏肿腿蜂后,种蜂出现一定退化,主要表现为寄生率和寄生成功率下降、单管出蜂量减少、子代蜂体型趋小等等。种蜂退化与繁育寄主的营养状况、种蜂保藏条件和接蜂繁育条件等因素有关。本研究根据设定的形态差异标准把种蜂划分为Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型种蜂,将3种类型种蜂分别进行繁育试验,统计比较各型种蜂的母代寄生率、寄生成功率、单管出蜂量、子代性比、存活率等参数,确定在人工扩繁应选用的种蜂类型。结果表明:Ⅰ型种蜂经50 d的适宜条件保藏后,以3∶1蜂虫比接蜂繁育,繁育效果更佳。     

利用黄粉甲繁育管氏肿腿蜂:不同蜂虫比对繁育效果的影响

利用黄粉甲Tenebriomolitor的蛹作为中间寄主繁育管氏肿腿蜂Sclerodermaguani,测定了不同蜂虫比对发育历期、寄生率等几项评价繁育效果的重要指标。结果显示接蜂时不同蜂虫比对雌蜂产卵量和育出的子代蜂数量有较明显的影响,当蜂虫比为2∶1时这2项重要指标较为理想。综合比较了寄生率、寄生成功率、子代蜂的发育历期、出蜂数、性比等各项指标后认为,人工扩繁时采用2∶1的蜂虫比较为适宜。     

斑痣悬茧蜂对斜纹夜蛾不同虫龄幼虫的选择及后代发育表现

为探究容性寄生蜂对不同龄期寄主幼虫的选择性及其子代蜂发育表现的关联,通过双选试验观察了斑痣悬茧蜂(Meteorus pulchricornis)对斜纹夜蛾(Spodoptera litura)不同虫龄幼虫的寄生选择,并观察了与子代蜂适合度相关的特性表现.结果表明:斑痣悬茧蜂在4龄与5龄之间未表现出偏好,在2龄和3龄、3龄和4龄之间显著偏好较低虫龄;结茧率在不同寄主虫龄间无显著差异,羽化率随寄主虫龄增大而减小,寄生2、3龄幼虫的子代蜂显著高于寄生5龄;寄生5龄幼虫的子代蜂死亡率比寄生2龄的高2.5倍,比寄生3龄的高5.4倍.寄生3龄幼虫的子代蜂发育历期最短(11.9 d),比寄生4龄幼虫的短6.8 d,比寄生2龄幼虫的短4.7 d;子代蜂体型大小在寄生的寄主虫龄间无显著差异.根据研究结果推测,斑痣悬茧蜂在寄生时可能不是根据寄主龄期来评价寄主品质,而是基于寄主体型大小进行评价.     

寄主卵龄和接触时间对夜蛾黑卵蜂寄生能力的影响

在温度(26±1)℃、RH70%±5%、光暗比L:D=12:12的条件下,研究了在接触时间为6、12、24、36h情况下,夜蛾黑卵蜂Telenomus remus Nixon对卵龄为0、6、12、24、36h的甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)第1天和第2天所产卵的寄生率、子代羽化率和性比。结果表明,夜蛾黑卵蜂寄生第1天卵龄为6h的寄主卵24h后,寄生率、子代羽化率和性比显著高于其他条件,分别为56.97%、89.11%和87.63%;寄生第2天相同条件的卵,寄生率、子代羽化率和性比也显著高于其他条件,分别为54.47%、95.37%和88.72%;寄生第1天和第2天的卵,其寄生率和子代性比差异不显著,但寄生第2天卵的子代羽化率显著高于寄生第1天卵的子代羽化率。因此,在室内以甜菜夜蛾为寄主繁育夜蛾黑卵蜂,最好以甜菜夜蛾第2天卵龄为6h的卵为寄主,接触时间以24h最适。该结果对夜蛾黑卵蜂应用于田间防治甜菜夜蛾具有指导意义。     

斑痣悬茧蜂的寄主种间选择性及其子代蜂发育适合度表现

为检验基于经典搜寻理论的最优膳食模型的预测——产卵雌蜂应该选择最适于子代蜂发育的寄主种进行产卵,本研究以斑痣悬茧蜂(Meteorus pulchricornis)及其寄主斜纹夜蛾(Spodoptera litura)和粘虫(Mythimna separata)的幼虫为材料,在控制寄主体型大小和龄期影响的基础上,分别在体型大小相近和日龄相同的3个水平上观察了斑痣悬茧蜂对2种寄主幼虫的选择偏好,并观察了子代蜂生长发育适应度表现。在观察期(1h)内,当2种寄主幼虫的体型相近或者龄期相同的情况下,斑痣悬茧蜂对粘虫的产卵器刺扎次数以及寄生率(用结茧率表示)均高于斜纹夜蛾;而在斜纹夜蛾幼虫体内发育出的子代蜂茧重和体型均大于粘虫,成蜂寿命无显著差异。最后,对斑痣悬茧蜂的寄主选择和子代发育表现不一致现象进行了讨论。     

几种因子对马尼拉侧沟茧蜂寄生效能的影响

马尼拉侧沟茧蜂Microplitis manilae是斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura的一种重要幼虫寄生蜂。本文以斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫为寄主,在26±1℃、RH 65%±5%、L：D=12:12的人工气候箱内,研究生殖方式、雌蜂日龄、寄生时间段、雄蜂出现与否以及雄蜂密度等因子对其寄生效能的影响。结果表明：马尼拉侧沟茧蜂可营产雄孤雌生殖和两性生殖两种生殖方式,两种方式在亲代寄生率、子代羽化率和发育历期均无显著差异。随着雌蜂日龄的增加,其寄生率和子代性比显著降低,但子代发育历期随雌蜂日龄的增加而延长。马尼拉侧沟茧蜂在12:00-18:00时间段的寄生率、子代羽化率和性比最高,子代发育历期最短。当寄生蜂密度一定时,子代性比随着寄主密度的增加而显著增加;当寄主密度一定时,子代性比随着寄生蜂密度的增加而显著下降;雄蜂在场时,子代性比显著高于无雄蜂在场时。子代性比随着亲代雄蜂密度的增加而显著降低,但雄蜂密度对亲代寄生率,子代羽化率、发育历期无显著影响。     

繁育寄主对稻螟赤眼蜂寄生行为及寄生能力的影响

【目的】繁育寄主影响赤眼蜂的生物学特性,为明确米蛾 Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton)卵繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂 Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead是否和二化螟Chilo suppressalis (Walker)卵繁育稻螟赤眼蜂在防治二化螟上有差别,及田间用米蛾卵作为稻螟赤眼蜂续代寄主的可行性,本实验观察了羽化自不同寄主的稻螟赤眼蜂的寄主选择和寄生行为,研究了两种繁育寄主对稻螟赤眼蜂寄生能力的影响,为田间防治水稻螟虫提供参考信息。【方法】室内利用选择试验观察了由米蛾卵和二化螟卵繁育出的稻螟赤眼蜂对两种寄主的选择趋性及在两种寄主上的寄生行为和寄生能力,统计了羽化子代蜂的寿命。【结果】由二化螟卵繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂表现出了对二化螟卵的选择偏好,而米蛾卵繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂在米蛾卵和二化螟卵间没有表现出寄主选择偏好。寄主搜寻时间不受繁育寄主及供试寄主的影响,卵表探测时间和穿刺及产卵时间不受繁育寄主的影响,但同一寄主繁育的稻螟赤眼蜂在米蛾卵上的卵表探测时间显著长于在二化螟卵上的卵表检测时间。除二化螟卵繁育蜂寄生二化螟卵时的寄生率（36.95%）和羽化率（45.68%）较低外,米蛾卵繁育蜂寄生米蛾卵或二化螟卵以及二化螟卵繁育蜂寄生米蛾卵等3组处理间的寄生率、羽化率均无显著差异,各处理组间子代蜂寿命也无显著差异。【结论】繁育寄主影响稻螟赤眼蜂的寄主选择和寄生能力,但不影响寄生蜂搜寻寄主的能力和寄生行为。     

寄生经历对川硬皮肿腿蜂寄主搜索行为的影响

研究寄生经历对川硬皮肿腿蜂SclerodmasichuanensisXiao寄主搜索行为的影响的结果表明,在指形管内,有寄生经历的川硬皮肿腿蜂产卵准备时间比无寄生经历蜂短,寄主搜索控制时间更少,寄主搜索控制成功率更高。1～3次经历蜂随着经历次数的增加,产卵准备时间逐渐缩短。无经历、1次、2次、3次经历蜂的产卵准备期分别为:6.3,5.3,4.9,4.6d。但3次经历后,准备时间的变化即不显著。无经历蜂与1次经历蜂、5次经历蜂的搜索控制寄主时间分别为:820,240,30min,对寄主的搜索控制成功率分别为72.97%,100%,100%。寄生经历蜂接蜂3d时卵子发育速率更快,寄生经历蜂与无寄生经历蜂在替代寄主上的产卵量差异不显著。     

斑痣悬茧蜂在黏虫寄主体内与中红侧沟茧蜂竞争下的存活和发育表现

【目的】不同种寄生蜂在同一小生境中可能寄生同一共享寄主。本研究旨在为认识寄生蜂种间互作关系,并为科学评价寄生性天敌控害效应提供依据。【方法】在室内以单寄生性斑痣悬茧蜂Meteorus pulchricornis(Wesmael)和中红侧沟茧蜂Microplitis mediator(Halidy)及其寄主黏虫Mythimna separata(Walker)低龄幼虫为材料,以寄生顺序和间隔时间为因素进行种间寄生竞争效应实验,观察比较两种蜂的存活和斑痣悬茧蜂子代的发育历期、体型大小和寿命等发育参数。【结果】不同寄生顺序和间隔时间组合处理下斑痣悬茧蜂子代蜂存活率始终高于中红侧沟茧蜂,且先寄生的斑痣悬茧蜂子代存活率高于后寄生的蜂,提前24 h寄生的斑痣悬茧蜂子代存活率可高达96.7%。当斑痣悬茧蜂先于中红侧沟茧蜂寄生时,其子代幼虫发育历期比单独寄生(对照)时显著延长;当后于中红侧沟茧蜂寄生时,其子代幼虫发育历期与单独寄生时无显著差异。各竞争处理下,斑痣悬茧蜂子代成虫寿命均长于单独寄生的子代成虫;子代成虫后足胫节长度与单独寄生相比明显缩短。【结论】结果说明,斑痣悬茧蜂在黏虫低龄幼虫体内与中红侧沟茧蜂的竞争中占有优势,但竞争对斑痣悬茧蜂子代生长发育具有负面影响。     

川硬皮肿腿蜂在松褐天牛幼虫上的合作繁育行为

【目的】硬皮肿腿蜂Sclerodermus spp.在寄生蜂中独有雌蜂合作繁育的准社会行为。本研究旨在明确该合作繁育行为在非自然寄主天牛上有何表现。【方法】随机选取松褐天牛Monochamus alternatus幼虫(体重范围0.16～0.44 g),个体称体重后分别接1, 2和4头已交配但尚未产卵的川硬皮肿腿蜂S.sichuanensis雌蜂即母蜂,观测母蜂产卵前期和子代发育表现等参数,分析寄主体重(连续自变量)和接蜂数(分类自变量)对这些参数的影响。【结果】对所有观测参数的分析未发现寄主体重与接蜂数这两因素之间存在互作影响,说明这两个因素独立影响观测特征。川硬皮肿腿蜂母蜂产卵前期随寄主体重增大而逐渐延长,但在母蜂数较多的情况下产卵前期缩短:接4头蜂处理下产卵前期比接1和2头处理下的产卵前期分别缩短18.3%和20.6%。按照母蜂平均产子代蜂数量(蜂均产蜂量)计算,接1头蜂处理下的蜂均产蜂量分别是接2和4头蜂处理下的蜂均产蜂量的1.5和3.3倍;蜂均产蜂量不受寄主体重的影响。子代蜂性比(雄蜂占比)在接蜂数较多处理下略有增大,但仍然极端偏雌;性比不受寄主体重的影响。子代卵至成虫存活率在接4头母蜂处理下最低,比接1和2头母蜂处理下分别降低37.4%和30.5%;子代卵至成虫存活率不受寄主体重的影响。子代蜂体型(后足胫节长度)随寄主体重增大而增大,但不受接蜂数的影响。【结论】本研究结果说明,在合作利用体型较大的非自然寄主时,母蜂数量比寄主体型大小对川硬皮肿腿蜂的合作繁育行为产生更大的影响。     

Host choice promotes reproductive isolation between host races of the larch budmoth Zeiraphera diniana

The chances for sympatric speciation are improved if ecological divergence leads to assortative mating as a by-product. This effect is known in parasites that find mates using host cues, but studies of larch- and pine-feeding races of the larch budmoth (Zeiraphera diniana, Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) suggest it may also occur when mate attraction is via sex pheromones that are independent of habitat. We have previously shown that females releasing pheromones on or near their own host attract more males of their own race than if placed on the alternative host. This host effect would enhance assortative mating provided adults preferentially alight on their native hosts. Here we investigate alighting preferences in natural mixed forest using a novel likelihood analysis of genotypic clusters based on three semidiagnostic allozyme loci. Both larch and pine females show a realized alighting preference for their own host of 86%. The equivalent preferences of males were 79% for the larch race and 85% for the pine race. These preferences are also detectable in small-scale laboratory experiments, where alighting preferences of larch and pine races towards their own hosts were, respectively, 67 and 66% in females and 69 and 63% in males. Pure larch race moths reared in the laboratory had alighting choice similar to moths from natural populations, while hybrids were intermediate, showing that alighting preferences were heritable and approximately additive. The field estimates of alighting preference, coupled with earlier work on mate choice, yield an estimated rate of natural hybridization between sympatric host races of 2.2-3.8% per generation. Divergent alighting choice enhances pheromone-mediated assortative mating today, and is likely to have been an important cause of assortative mating during initial divergence in host use. Because resources are normally 'coarse-grained' in space and time, assortative mating due to ecological divergence may be a more important catalyst of sympatric speciation than generally realized.     

Host density predicts presence of cuckoo parasitism in reed warblers

In some hosts of avian brood parasites, several populations apparently escape parasitism, while others are parasitized. Many migratory specialist brood parasites like common cuckoos, Cuculus canorus , experience a short breeding season, and in order to maintain local parasite populations host densities should be sufficiently high to allow efficient nest search. However, no studies have investigated the possible effect of host density on presence of cuckoo parasitism among populations of a single host species. Here, we investigated possible predictors of common cuckoo parasitism in 16 populations of reed warblers, Acrocephalus scirpaceus , across Europe. In more detail, we quantified the effect of host density, number of host breeding pairs, habitat type, mean distance to nearest cuckoo vantage point, predation rate and latitude on the presence of cuckoo parasitism while controlling for geographical distance among study populations. Host density was a powerful predictor of parasitism. We also found a less pronounced effect of habitat type on occurrence of parasitism, while the other variables did not explain why cuckoos utilize some reed warbler populations and not others. This is the first study focusing on patterns of common cuckoo-host interactions within a specific host species on a large geographic scale. The results indicate that if host density is below a specific threshold, cuckoo parasitism is absent regardless of the state of other potentially confounding variables.     

Effects of various breeding strategies on diploid drone frequency and quantitative traits in a honey bee population

When selecting in a finite population of honeybees there is a conflict between gain in a quantitative trait and increasing homozygosity, and therefore the frequency of inviable diploid drones. The consequences when using different mating, import, and selection strategies on diploid drone frequency and genetic gain, was explored with Monte Carlo computer simulations.Within a closed population breeding structure, mass selection gave the highest genetic gain in the quantitative trait, but also the largest increase in percentage diploid drones and queens with unacceptably-low brood viability. Mass selection combined with truncation selection against queens having more than 15% diploid drones gave a comparable genetic gain and was the best strategy of the ones studied to avoid diploid drones. Within-family selection (one replacement per sib group) gave the least genetic gain, and a frequency of diploid drones comparable to random (no) selection. It was intermediate between mass selection and mass selection combined with viability selection concerning the frequency of diploid drones.Insemination with pooled and homogenized semen originating from all breeder queens (30), as compared to natural mating with 12 randomly-selected drones, had little effect on the genetic gain and on the overall frequency of diploid drones (10 to 15% by generation 20).The effect of opening the closed breeding population for the import of external queens every generation, by exchanging breeder queens of lowest performance with a corresponding number of new queens (5, 10and 15 out of 30), was also investigated. Under mass selection (natural mating as well as artificial insemination) the frequency of diploid drones and the proportion of queens discarded were reduced because of low brood viability. However, artificial insemination was superior to natural mating considering the latter criterion. If the imported queens were at the same genetic level for the quantitative trait under selection as the whole breeding population at that generation, or 10% better, the genetic gain was respectively slightly reduced and approximately maintained. If the imported queens were of inferior quality (equal to the initial population) the import of queens slowed genetic progress considerably.     

Effects of water mites on the damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum

1. Water mite parasitism is expected to have an important effect on damselfly survivorship and reproductive success, because mites drain considerable amounts of body fluids from their hosts. This study tests the effect of water mite parasitism in a marked population of the damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum during 1995 (individuals marked as mature adults) and 1996 (individuals marked as tenerals).
2. Almost all teneral individuals were parasitized (98%) and mites were aggregated strongly on some individuals. Parasite load increased during the season.
3. Parasites had no effect on the probability of recapture of hosts as mature adults. The average daily survival rate of lightly- and heavily-parasitized individuals, estimated with Jolly's stochastic method, did not differ significantly.
4. In 1995 parasites had a significant effect on host mating success. The probability of mating was about 25% lower for heavily-parasitized males than for lightly-parasitized males. Lightly-parasitized males also mated more times than heavily-parasitized males, even if heavily-parasitized males lived longer. In 1996, parasitism did not have an effect on male mating success. In both years mites had no effect on female lifetime mating success.
5. These results indicate that water mite parasitism does not reduce damselfly survivorship, but it could reduce male mating success in some circumstances. Further long-term studies are needed, especially in populations with a lower incidence of parasitism.     

Colonial Nesting and the Importance of the Brood Size in Male Parasitic Reproduction of the Mediterranean Damselfish Chromis chromis (Pisces: Pomacentridae)

We investigated male parasitic spawning in a protected natural population of Mediterranean damselfish. Chromis chromis nested in colonies, inside which males showed a high variability in mating success. Our field observations indicate that the egg batches obtained by the most successful fish were five times bigger than the ones obtained by the less successful fish and many males never received ovipositions. On the other hand, reproductive parasitism was a common tactic within the colony. Successful nesting males sneaked into their neighbours' nests depending on the amount of eggs in their nest, with small clutch size inducing the males to parasitic reproduction. Males failing to receive egg depositions on their nests showed a significantly higher parasitism rate than successful males. Non-territorial males occupied stations in the water column above the breeding grounds and whenever the opportunity arose, they disrupted spawning in progress, stealing copulation with females. We observed that the likelihood of males being parasitized by sneakers was not correlated with the size of their own clutch; on the contrary, it depended both on the number of neighbouring nests and on the number of neighbouring males with barren nests (i.e. unsuccessful males). No correlation was found between parasitic behaviour and male size, suggesting males may switch between spawning in their own and in their neighbour's nests depending on mating opportunity. The hypothesis that colonial nesting facilitates parasitic reproduction is here discussed.     

Effect of mating combinations on the host parasitisation and sex allocation in solitary endoparasitoid,Aenasius arizonensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) is an important solitary endoparasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. To optimise the mass production of high-quality females, it is important to assess the influence of mating regimes on the progeny fitness and sex allocation. We, therefore, hypothesise that mating combinations in A. arizonensis adults emerged from different host instars may influence parasitism and sex allocation in the subsequent generation. Therefore, we compared three nymphal instars (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and adults host stages of P. solenopsis for parasitism and sex allocation by A. arizonensis. Further, F₁ female progeny of the parasitoid emerged from different host instars was henceforth evaluated for its fitness in six mating combinations. A. arizonensis females parasitised all the host stages except the 1st instar nymphs. The parasitised 2nd instar nymphs yielded only males, while the sex ratio in the later host instars was strongly female-biased. The parasitoid females preferred 3rd instar nymphs with respect to higher parasitism (74.0–84.0%) and produced more females in the F₁ progeny as compared to other host stages. F₁ females that emerged from 3rd instar nymphs produced significantly higher parasitism (74.0–79.0%). These mating combinations also yielded more female progeny in the F₂ generation. However, parasitism by F₁ females was significantly lower (9.0–12.0%) when mated with males that emerged from 2nd instar P. solenopsis nymphs. Moreover, latter combinations yielded only male progeny in F₂ generation. These findings can be used in laboratory mass rearing of this parasitoid vis-à-vis biological control of P. solenopsis.     

Responses of Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus to conspecific brood parasitism

Conspecific brood parasitism in birds occurs when a female inserts her egg into the clutch of her own species. If successful, i.e. the parasitic egg is accepted by the host, then the host female or pair rears the offspring of the parasite. In the present study, we studied natural conspecific brood parasitism in Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus), and conducted series of the experiments with mimetic (conspecific) and non-mimetic (conspecific painted light blue) eggs to explore responses of the tested pairs towards these alien eggs. The natural parasitism rate was 10% and the probability of being parasitized significantly increased with nest density. Experimentally parasitized pairs rejected both types of experimental eggs at a similar rate: 14.3 % for mimetic and 25.5% for non-mimetic within 2 days. Non-mimetic eggs were more selectively rejected than mimetic eggs. The relationships between the probability of egg rejection (dependent variable) and predictor (independent) variables were examined by fitting generalized linear models. Contrast and intraclutch variation in ground color and spotting pattern and the volume of the egg had no significant effect on rejection behavior in either non-mimetic or mimetic eggs. However, nest density significantly positively affected rejection behavior of the Black-headed Gulls in both non-mimetic and mimetic treatments.     

大杜鹃对家燕的巢寄生

了解杜鹃(Cuculus spp.)对不同宿主鸟类的巢寄生,是研究杜鹃与其宿主之间协同进化的重要基础资料。大杜鹃(Cuculus canorus)和家燕(Hirundo rustica)分布遍及全国,且为同域分布,但两者之间的寄生现象尚未有过系统调查。2012年和2014年4~8月,对繁殖于吉林市昌邑区桦皮厂镇(34°58′44.18″N,126°13′26.83″E,海拔184 m)和海南岛的家燕种群进行调查,结果表明,吉林市昌邑区桦皮厂镇家燕种群的寄生率为2.4%(1/42),而在海南岛所调查的1 719个家燕巢未发现杜鹃寄生现象。同时在网络上搜集家燕巢寄生的报道案例,共记录到13巢家燕被大杜鹃寄生繁殖,均发生在北方的家燕种群。     

Synchronization of laying by great spotted cuckoos and recognition ability of magpies

Brood parasites rely entirely on the parental care of host species to raise the parasitic nestlings until independence. The reproductive success of avian brood parasites depends on finding host nests at a suitable stage (i.e. during egg laying) for parasitism and weakly defensive (i.e. non‐ejector) hosts. Finding appropriate nests for parasitism may, however, vary depending on ecological conditions, including parasite abundance in the area, which also varies from one year to another and therefore may influence coevolutionary relationships between brood parasites and their hosts. In this scenario, we explored: 1) the degree of laying synchronization between great spotted cuckoos Clamator glandarius and magpies Pica pica during two breeding seasons, which varied in the level of selection pressure due to brood parasitism (i.e. parasitism rate); 2) magpie responses to natural parasitism in the pre‐laying period and successfulness of parasitic eggs laid at this stage; and 3) magpie responses to experimental parasitism performed at different breeding stages. We found that, during the year of higher parasitism rate, there was an increase in the percentage of parasitic eggs laid before magpies started laying. However, the synchronization of laying was poor both years regardless of the differences in the parasitism rate. The ejection rate was significantly higher during the pre‐egg‐laying and the post‐hatching stages than during the laying stage, and hatching success of parasitic eggs laid during the pre‐egg‐laying stage was zero. Thus, non‐synchronized parasitic eggs are wasted and therefore poor synchronization should be penalized by natural selection. We discuss four different hypotheses explaining poor synchronization.     

Reproductive interactions of the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and the Yellow-hooded Blackbird Agelaius icterocephalus in Trinidad

The reproductive interactions of the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis , a brood parasite, and the Yellow-hooded Blackbird Agelaius icterocephalus , a host of the cowbird, were studied In Trinidad, West Indies. We gathered information on the breeding biology of the Shiny Cowbird and the Yellow-hooded Blackbird, the frequency of use of the host species, and the effects of brood parasitism on host breeding success. Yellow-hooded Blackbirds are polygynous for the most part; males build nests and attempt to attract females to lay in them by means of song and visual displays directed towards the nests. This behaviour probably makes it easy for cowbirds to locate breeding birds and their nests. Cowbird eggs were found in 153 of 377 (40–3 %) blackbird nests located before the nestling stage. Shiny Cowbird parasitism of the Yellow-hooded Blackbird had little negative impact on host reproductive success, whereas predation accounted for the majority of nest failures. Vigilant nest defense by male blackbirds combined with colonial breeding apparently also minimized the extent of host egg damage and removal by cowbirds, and the parasitized and unparasitized nests were equally successful at producing blackbirds. Cowbirds most frequently parasitized the first or only nesting attempts in blackbird territories, and first or only nests were also successful more frequently than subsequent nests.