Sex Allocation Decision Under Superparasitism by the Parasitoid Wasp Eupelmus vuilleti |
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Authors: | Eric Darrouzet Guy Boivin Claude Chevrier |
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Institution: | (1) Faculté des Sciences, Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, Université de Tours, UMR CNRS 6035, Parc de Grandmont, 37200 Tours, France;(2) Horticultural Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, J3B 3E6, Canada |
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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. |
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Keywords: | Self- and conspecific superparasitism host discrimination reproductive strategies Hymenoptera Eupelmidae |
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