Superparasitism: a non-adaptive strategy?
Although once thought to be detrimental, superparasitism (where a host is parasitized more than once) by solitary parasitoids is now accepted to be an adaptive strategy. However, a recent study reveals that this might not always be the case. Varaldi et al. show that the superparasitism behaviour of the wasp Leptopilina boulardi is caused by a vertically and horizontally transmitted infectious agent. A reinterpretation of the adaptive significance of superparasitism in this species might therefore be required.
Tracy Reynolds
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Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK, EH9 3JT. Tracy.Reynolds@ed.ac.uk
Hardy
Ian C W
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