Host population density and presence of predators as key factors influencing the number of gregarious parasitoid Anaphes flavipes offspring

0505400 - BC 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Samková, A. - Hadrava, Jiří - Skuhrovec, J. - Janšta, P.
Host population density and presence of predators as key factors influencing the number of gregarious parasitoid Anaphes flavipes offspring.
Scientific Reports. Roč. 9, APR 15 (2019), č. článku 6081. ISSN 2045-2322. E-ISSN 2045-2322
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : Anaphes flavipes * intraguild predation * body-size
OECD category: Ecology
Impact factor: 3.998, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-42503-4.pdf

The number of parasitoids developed per host is one of the major factors that influences future adult body size and reproductive success. Here, we examined four external factors (host species, heritability, host population density, and presence of predators) that can affect the number of the gregarious parasitoid Anaphes flavipes (Förster, 1841) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) wasps developing in one host. The effect of host population density on the number of parasitoid offspring developed per host was confirmed, and for the first time, we also showed that the number of offspring per host is influenced by the presence of predators. Low host density and presence of predators increases the number of wasps developed in one host egg. However, a higher number of A. flavipes in one host reduces A. flavipes body size and hence its future individual fertility and fitness. Our results highlighted the importance of some external factors that distinctly affect the number of wasp offspring. Therefore, in this context, we suggest that in comparison to solitary parasitoids, the gregarious parasitoid A. flavipes can better respond to various external factors and can more flexibly change its population density.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0296980