Patterns of parasitism by insect parasitoids in patchy environments

Abstract

Abstract. 1. This paper shows how the different spatial patterns of per cent parasitism in patches of different host density can be explained within a single model framework that takes into account the parasitoid's aggregative response, and the factors limiting the degree of host exploitation within patches.2. Two contrasting laboratory examples are presented in which the distribution of searching parasitoids and the resulting levels of parasitism in different patches are both known for a range of parasitoid densities.3. A model is described predicting the number of hosts parasitized per patch, in which the number of parasitoids searching is determined from a simple expression allowing different degrees of aggregation.4. The model generates patterns of parasitism encompassing the two laboratory examples and a wide range of examples from the field.5. The importance of density dependent spatial distributions of parasitism to population stability is briefly discussed.