Ecological Control of a Parasite Population by Genetic Evolution in the Parasite-Host System1

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Abstract
Evidence suggests that interspecies evolution controls the number of parasites and hosts. To determine if the numbers of a wasp-parasite, Nasonia vitripennis Walker, population could be regulated by genetic change in the house fly, Musca domestica L., host a constant number of hosts was supplied daily to the parasite population. Selective pressure on the host population depended upon parasite numbers, but initially selective pressure averaged more than 90%. After 1004 days of study, the host and parasite evolved toward ecological homeostasis. This resulted in a significant decline in the reproductive capacity of the experimental parasite on its host from about 135 progeny to only 39 progeny per female. Such a change resulted in a 50% decrease in the average density of the parasite, a decline of about 7% in selective pressure on the host, and a 50% dampening in the fluctuations of the parasite population.

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