The Developmental Biologies of Two Encyrtid Parasites of Coccus hesperidum and their Intrinsic Competition1

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Abstract
The superiority of Metaphycus luteolus (Timberlake) over Microterys flavus Howard (both internal, gregarious parasites of Coccus hesperidum L.), in the field is contrary to the pattern of dominance of the 2 species when they compete within the body of a common host. The developmental biologies of the 2- parasites, the manner of supernumerary egg reduction, the processes by which they achieve dominance in the host's body, and the effect of their intraspecific and interspecific competition under different conditions were studied by a technique which permitted continuous observation of all developmental stages of both parasites without their removal from the body of the host. The reduction of supernumerary eggs of both species to numbers which the host could support and the elimination of 1 species by another were accomplished through combat arising from chance encounter of competing larvae. The operation of this simple but effective regulatory mechanism, as observed within the host's body, is described.

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