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

最重要的一组生物体能够控制潜在的 昆虫害虫种群是寄生在昆虫体内的寄生蜂。 卵、幼虫或蛹。 这些寄生蜂 传统生物控制的支柱， 影响农业和减少农药使用的潜力 国际吧 寄生蜂有着广泛的生活史， 控制后代性别比例的独特能力 性 比率偏置对黄蜂种群数量有重要影响 种群及其与其他黄蜂物种比较的能力 并调节宿主种群。 这项研究涉及开发一个 岛屿弯顶蜂对小菜蛾寄生模型 其是十字花科作物（卷心菜、花椰菜等）中的害虫。 世界各地。本研究着重探讨了 植物对小菜蛾幼虫的质量和如何 这些幼虫的质量影响了弯尾姬蜂的数量， 特别是在性别比例偏差方面。 的挑战 研究是为了获得一个现实的模型，整合遗传和 在一个3- 营养级生态相互作用，并使用该模型，以帮助 解释从现场和实验室实验获得的数据。 的 所获得的知识可有助于促进生物防治， 小菜蛾//

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.//