Competition Within and Between Species of Parasitoid Wasps

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2005, Volume 26

Abstract

Although competition plays a significant role in communities, it is sometimes difficult to demonstrate the complexity of competitive interactions to an introductory class. This exercise investigates the effects of competition on reproduction within and between two species. Students design an experiment by placing females on a host, alone, or with conspecific or interspecific competitors. In a subsequent lab, students gather data on the number of offspring produced by females under each condition and discuss implications of the results. For more advanced students, information is included on using statistical analyses to compare the impacts of interspecific vs. intraspecific competition.

Keywords:  parasitoid, competition, Nasonia, Melittobia

Bowling Green State University, Ohio (2004)