Effects of 3-trophic-level Interactions on Sex Ratios of an Herbivore and Parasite

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The most important group of organisms able to control potential insect pest populations are parasitic wasps that parasitize the eggs, larvae, or pupae of their host. These parasitic wasps are the mainstay of classical biological control which has enormous potential to impact agriculture and reduce the use of pesticides worldwide. Parasitic wasps have a vast array of life histories and a unique ability to control the sex ratio of their progeny. Sex ratio biasing has a critical impact on the demography of wasp populations and their ability to compare with other wasp species and regulate host populations. This study involves developing a model of a parasitic wasp Diadegma insulare on diamondback moth which is a pest in cruciferous crops (cabbage, cauliflower,etc.) world wide. The study focuses on the influence of the quality of plants on the quality of diamondback moth larvae and how the quality of these larvae influences the demography of Diadegma, especially in terms of sex ratio biasing. The challenge of the study is to obtain a realistic model that integrates genetic and environmental components associated with sex ratio biasing in a 3- trophic level ecological interaction, and to use the model to help interpret data obtained from field and laboratory experiments. The knowledge gained could help in promoting biological control of diamondback moth.//