Asymmetric indirect interactions mediated by a shared parasitoid: connecting species traits and local distribution patterns for two chrysomelid beetles

Abstract

This paper reports on an asymmetric indirect interaction between two chrysomelid beetles where one species (Galerucella tenella) experiences higher parasitization, and the other species (Galerucella calmariensis) lower parasitization, in mixed compared with monospecific populations. This pattern is likely to be a consequence of differences in life history characteristics, where the inferior species has a smaller body size, a lower fecundity and supports a lower parasitoid density than the superior species. This connection between life history characteristics and interspecific dominance in host-parasitoid systems corresponds to predictions from current community ecology theory, and provides a useful building-block in the development of a predictive theory of parasitoid effects on host coexistence.