Density-independent parasitism among host patches by Anagrus delicatus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): experimental manipulation of hosts
Abstract
Parasitism by Anagrus delicatus of the eggs of its host, Prokelisia marginata, was examined experimentally in a N Florida salt marsh. Spatially, parasitism by A. delicatus was independent of host density for all experimental trials. Through time, a slight inverse relationship between parasitism rate and density was apparent; higher overall host densities tended to have lower parasitism rates. Parasitoids disperse from host clutches after laying only a small fraction of their eggs; this behaviour appears to play an important role in producing the observed density-independent patterns of parasitism. -from Authors
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