Abstract
Parasitoids and predators compete for host or prey species. The efficiency of obtaining prey or host items is reduced by intraspecific competition. As the optimal search behavior depends on the intensity of competition, it is important for the parasitoid or predator to obtain information on this intensity. Previous studies have shown that parasitoids can obtain information regarding competition from encounters with already parasitized hosts. They then change their host searching behavior accordingly. However, whether parasitoids obtain the information directly from observing the presence of conspecifics remains unclear. We used Tiphodytes gerriphagus (Marchal) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the solitary egg parasitoid of water striders, for testing the effect of density of conspecifics on host searching behavior. Females of T. gerriphagus dive into the water to search for hosts and sometimes they dive without hosts present. Thus, we investigated whether T. gerriphagus changed underwater activities in response to the density of conspecifics in the absence of hosts. Four densities (1, 2, 4, and 8 female T. gerriphagus) were investigated. Females in competitive situations (groups of 2, 4, and 8 females) displayed host searching behavior, but the solitary females did not. This indicates that the presence of conspecifics triggers host searching behavior and that T. gerriphagus females obtain information on competition directly from conspecifics and use it for modifying their behavior.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 222-227 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata |
| Volume | 154 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 1 2015 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Insect Science
Cite this
Presence of conspecifics triggers host searching behavior in an egg parasitoid wasp. / Hirayama, Hiroyuki; So, Takayuki; Kasuya, Eiiti.
In: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Vol. 154, No. 3, 01.03.2015, p. 222-227.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Presence of conspecifics triggers host searching behavior in an egg parasitoid wasp
AU - Hirayama, Hiroyuki
AU - So, Takayuki
AU - Kasuya, Eiiti
PY - 2015/3/1
Y1 - 2015/3/1
N2 - Parasitoids and predators compete for host or prey species. The efficiency of obtaining prey or host items is reduced by intraspecific competition. As the optimal search behavior depends on the intensity of competition, it is important for the parasitoid or predator to obtain information on this intensity. Previous studies have shown that parasitoids can obtain information regarding competition from encounters with already parasitized hosts. They then change their host searching behavior accordingly. However, whether parasitoids obtain the information directly from observing the presence of conspecifics remains unclear. We used Tiphodytes gerriphagus (Marchal) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the solitary egg parasitoid of water striders, for testing the effect of density of conspecifics on host searching behavior. Females of T. gerriphagus dive into the water to search for hosts and sometimes they dive without hosts present. Thus, we investigated whether T. gerriphagus changed underwater activities in response to the density of conspecifics in the absence of hosts. Four densities (1, 2, 4, and 8 female T. gerriphagus) were investigated. Females in competitive situations (groups of 2, 4, and 8 females) displayed host searching behavior, but the solitary females did not. This indicates that the presence of conspecifics triggers host searching behavior and that T. gerriphagus females obtain information on competition directly from conspecifics and use it for modifying their behavior.
AB - Parasitoids and predators compete for host or prey species. The efficiency of obtaining prey or host items is reduced by intraspecific competition. As the optimal search behavior depends on the intensity of competition, it is important for the parasitoid or predator to obtain information on this intensity. Previous studies have shown that parasitoids can obtain information regarding competition from encounters with already parasitized hosts. They then change their host searching behavior accordingly. However, whether parasitoids obtain the information directly from observing the presence of conspecifics remains unclear. We used Tiphodytes gerriphagus (Marchal) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the solitary egg parasitoid of water striders, for testing the effect of density of conspecifics on host searching behavior. Females of T. gerriphagus dive into the water to search for hosts and sometimes they dive without hosts present. Thus, we investigated whether T. gerriphagus changed underwater activities in response to the density of conspecifics in the absence of hosts. Four densities (1, 2, 4, and 8 female T. gerriphagus) were investigated. Females in competitive situations (groups of 2, 4, and 8 females) displayed host searching behavior, but the solitary females did not. This indicates that the presence of conspecifics triggers host searching behavior and that T. gerriphagus females obtain information on competition directly from conspecifics and use it for modifying their behavior.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84922311301&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84922311301&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/eea.12278
DO - 10.1111/eea.12278
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84922311301
VL - 154
SP - 222
EP - 227
JO - Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
JF - Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
SN - 0013-8703
IS - 3
ER -