Pattern and Process in Host-Parasitoid Interactions

"How is the staggering biodiversity of the parasitoid insects maintained? This book, first published in 1994, explores patterns in host-parasitoid interactions, including parasitoid community richness, the importance of parasitoids as mortality factors, and their impact on host densities as determined by the outcomes of parasitoid introductions for biological control. It documents general patterns using data sets generated from the global literature and evaluates potential underlying biological, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. A theme running throughout the book is the importance of host refuges as a major constraint on host-parasitoid interactions. Much can be learnt from the analysis of broad patterns; a few simple rules can go a long way in explaining the major components of these interactions. This book will be an invaluable resource for researchers interested in community ecology, population biology, entomology and biological control." -- Publisher's description Cover......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 2 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 1 - Introduction......Page 12 2.2 Parasitoid species richness......Page 16 2.3 Host mortality......Page 18 2.5 Independent variables......Page 24 2.6 Dependent variables......Page 30 2.7 Statistical analysis......Page 32 3.1 Introduction......Page 34 3.2 Host feeding niche......Page 35 3.3 Foodplant/habitat......Page 46 3.4 Latitude/climate......Page 55 3.5 Explained variance models......Page 63 3.6 Conclusions......Page 66 3.7 Summary......Page 79 4.1 Introduction......Page 81 4.2 Host feeding niche......Page 87 4.3 Foodplant/habitat......Page 89 4.4 Latitude/climate......Page 97 4.5 Conclusions......Page 105 4.6 Summary......Page 120 5.1 Introduction......Page 122 5.2 Host feeding niche......Page 123 5.3 Foodplant/habitat......Page 125 5.5 Parasitoid impact on host densities......Page 128 5.6 Conclusions......Page 133 5.7 Summary......Page 141 6.1 Introduction......Page 143 6.2 Primary parasitoid species richness......Page 145 6.3 Herbivore feeding niche......Page 147 6.4 Foodplant/habitat......Page 150 6.6 Conclusions......Page 154 6.7 Summary......Page 160 7 - Synthesis......Page 162 References......Page 180 Index......Page 194 Data And Methodology -- Parasitoid Species Richness -- Host Mortality -- Parasitoid Impact -- Independent Variables -- Dependent Variables -- Statistical Analysis -- Parasitoid Species Richness -- Host Feeding Niche -- Food Plant/habitat -- Lattitude/climate -- Explained Variance Models -- Taxonomic Composition And Generalist Versus Specialist Parasitoids -- Host Feeding Niche -- Food Plant/habitat -- Lattitude/climate -- Host Mortality And Parasitoid Impact -- Host Feeding Niche -- Food Plant/habitat -- Lattitude/climate -- Parasitoid Impact On Host Densities. Hyperparasitoids -- Primary Parasitoid Species Richness -- Herbivore Feeding Niche -- Food Plant/habitat -- Lattitude/climate -- Synthesis. Bradford A. Hawkins. Cover Title: Pattern & Process In Host-parasitoid Interactions. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 169-182) And Index. Parasitoids are insects that parasitize and eventually kill other insects. Between one and two million species of parasitoid insect exist on the earth today. This book explores how this staggering diversity is maintained and documents patterns in host-parasitoid interactions, including parasitoid community richness, the importance of parasitoids as mortality factors, and their impact on host densities as determined by the outcomes of parasitoid introductions for biological control. It documents general patterns using data sets generated from the global literature and evaluates potential underlying biological, ecological, and evolutionary mechanisms. A theme running throughout the book is the importance of host refuges as a major constraint on host-parasitoid interactions. Parasitoids are insects that parasitise and eventually kill other insects. Two million species may exist today. How is this biodiversity maintained? This book, first published in 1994, examines the patterns existing in parasitoid communities and looks at the potential biological, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the success of this group.