Pattern and Process in Host-Parasitoid Interactions

by Bradford A. Hawkins

Overview

Parasitoids are insects that parasitize and eventually kill other insects. Between one and two million species of parasitoid insect exist on the earth today. This book explores how this staggering diversity is maintained and documents patterns in host-parasitoid interactions, including parasitoid community richness, the importance of parasitoids as mortality factors, and their impact on host densities as determined by the outcomes of parasitoid introductions for biological control. It documents general patterns using data sets generated from the global literature and evaluates potential underlying biological, ecological, and evolutionary mechanisms. A theme running throughout the book is the importance of host refuges as a major constraint on host-parasitoid interactions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521460293
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/28/1994
Pages:	202
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.33(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Data and methodology; 3. Parasitoid species richness; 4. Taxonomic composition and generalist versus specialist parasitoids; 5. Host mortality and the impact of parasitoids on host densities; 6. Hyperparasitoids; 7. Synthesis; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...a stimulating contribution to the study of community ecology of parasitoids...the book will certainly provoke discussion...I recommend it to all students of parasitoids and to all interested in community ecology." Jacques J.M. van Alphen, Ecology

"The book is well written and will certainly be of value to those interested in community ecology, population biology, entomology, parasitoid-host relationships and biological control." S. Bradleigh Vinson, Écoscience

From the Publisher