Density-independent parasitism among host patches by Anagrus delicatus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): experimental manipulation of hosts

J. T. Cronin, Florida State University
D. R. Strong, Florida State University

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