Abstract

Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 82(2): 172-176 (l989) ABSTRACT Trissolcus euschisti (Ashmead), a scelionid parasitoid of stink bug eggs, did not alter its sex ratio in response to chemical traces left by previously ovipositing wasps as had been predicted by published local mate competition models. Female T. euschistt gen­ erally oviposited male offspring early in an ovipositional sequence. Consequently, stink bug egg masses that have been parasitized by more than one female should produce a higher male/total wasp sex ratio than those parasitized by single females as suggested by Waage (1982) for certain other scelionid parasitoids. Thus, the apparently adaptive outcome of higher sex ratios when more than one foundress oviposits in a patch may be the same as that predicted by local mate competition theory but does not involve local mate competition because of a relatively fixed pattern of sex allocation. Female T. euschistt rejected heavily parasitized egg masses more frequently than they rejected host egg masses of a similar size that were only lightly parasitized.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.