Pattern and Process in Host-Parasitoid Interactions [Paperback]

This book, first published in 1994, examines patterns in global parasitoid species diversity.Parasitoids are insects that parasitise and eventually kill other insects. Two million species may exist today. How is this biodiversity maintained? This book, first published in 1994, examines the patterns existing in parasitoid communities and looks at the potential biological, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the success of this group.Parasitoids are insects that parasitise and eventually kill other insects. Two million species may exist today. How is this biodiversity maintained? This book, first published in 1994, examines the patterns existing in parasitoid communities and looks at the potential biological, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the success of this group.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.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. ...a stimulating contribution to the study of community ecology of parasitoids...the book will certainly provoke discussion...I recommenl³±