Superparasitism

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Superparasitism is a form of parasitism in which the host (typically an insect larva such as a caterpillar) is attacked more than once by a single species of parasitoid. Multiparasitism or coinfection, on the other hand, occurs when the host has been parasitized by more than one species. [1] Host discrimination, whereby parasitoids can identify a host with parasites from an unparasitized host, is present in certain species of parasitoids and is used to avoid superparasitism and thus competition from other parasites. [2] Superparasitism can result in transmission of viruses, and viruses may influence a parasitoid's behavior in favor of infecting already infected hosts, as is the case with Leptopilina boulardi. [3]

Examples

One example of superparasitism is seen in Rhagoletis juglandis , also known as the walnut husk fly. During oviposition, female flies lacerate the tissue of the inner husk of the walnut and create a cavity for her eggs. The female flies oviposit and reinfest the same walnuts and even the same oviposition sites created by conspecifics. [4]

References

  1. ↑ R. C. Fisher (1 June 1961). "A Study in Insect Multiparasitism: I. Host Selection and Oviposition" (PDF). Journal of Experimental Biology. 38 (2): 267–275. doi:10.1242/jeb.38.2.267.
  2. ↑ Bakker, K.; van Alphen, J. J. M.; van Batenburg, F. H. D.; van der Hoeven, N.; Nell, H. W.; van Strien-van Liempt, W. T. F. H.; Turlings, T. C. J. (1985-12-01). "The function of host discrimination and superparasitization in parasitoids". Oecologia. 67 (4): 572–576. Bibcode:1985Oecol..67..572B. doi:10.1007/BF00790029. ISSN   1432-1939. PMID   28311043.
  3. ↑ Reynolds, K Tracy; Hardy, Ian (July 2004). "Superparasitism: a non-adaptive strategy?" . Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 19 (7): 347–348. Bibcode:2004TEcoE..19..347T. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2004.03.021. PMID   16701282 . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. ↑ Boyce, A.M. (December 1929). "The Walnut Husk Fly (Rhagoletis juglandis Cresson)". Journal of Economic Entomology. 22: 861–866.


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