Superparasitism strategy in a semisolitary parasitoid with imperfect self/non-self recognition, Echthrodelphax fairchildii

To assess the adaptiveness of self‐ and conspecific superparasitism in the parasitoid Echthrodelphax fairchildii Perkins (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae), we measured the rate of superparasitism avoidance and fitness returns from superparasitism for different intervals between the first and second ovipositions. We also tested for any preference in oviposition side and whether any such preference was adaptive. The rate of superparasitism avoidance in both self‐ and conspecific superparasitism was about 10% for oviposition intervals of 2–8 h, and higher for intervals of 1 and ≥24 h (but did not exceed 35%). When conspecifically superparasitizing (but not self‐superparasitizing), females exhibited a slight preference for the side without the first‐comer. Under conspecific superparasitism, the survival rate of second comers was independent of the oviposition side and interval, but slightly lower than that of immature parasitoids for single parasitism. The adult size of second‐comers on the side harboring the first‐comer was larger than that of second‐comers on the side without it, when the oviposition interval was <24 or 96 h. These results explained the overall low rate of avoidance of conspecific superparasitism, but not the variation in avoidance rate or the preference for side without the first‐comer when conspecifically superparasitizing. Assuming that fitness returns are influenced more by offspring quantity than by their quality, self‐superparasitism produced positive fitness returns only when the oviposition interval was <24 h and the side without the first‐comer was selected. This suggests that the observed behavior was not adaptive. Possible reasons for the discrepancies between observed and optimal behaviors, including an imperfect ability for self/non‐self recognition, are discussed.