Survival and Reproduction ofNasonia vitripennis(Walk.) at Different Host Population Densities

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Abstract
Females of Nasonia vitripennis (Walk.) lived longer, found more hosts, and produced more progeny at high host (housefly, Musca domestica L.) population densities than at lower ones. Because they feed on the fly pupae that they parasitize, the female parasites were able to obtain more food at high host population densities. Starved and unstarved females produced progeny with similar sex ratios. By feeding on parasitized fly pupae when unparasitized ones are scarce, females of N. vitripennis increase their longevity and their ability to oviposit if they subsequently find unparasitized hosts. Females that have fed partly or entirely on parasitized pupae subsequently produce relatively more diapause progeny.