Skip to main content
Log in

Unisexual broods and sex ratios in a polyembryonic encyrtid parasitoid (Copidosoma sp.: Hymenoptera)

  • Short Communications
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

We examined brood sex ratios of an undetermined species of Copidosoma. Most broods (65%) were unisexual, with a greater proportion of female broods. Some mixed broods contained extremely small proportions of wasps of the opposite sex. Our results imply that the female-biased sex rations in this species cannot be explained by local mate competition theory.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Alford DV (1976) Observations on Litomastix aretas, an encyrtid parasite of the strawberry tortrix moth. Ann Appl Biol 84: 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryan G (1983) Seasonal biological variation in some leaf-miner parasites in the genus Achrysocharoides (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae). Ecol Entomol 8: 259–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson JS, Walter GH (1991a) Brood sex ratios of the solitary parasitoid wasp, Coccophagus atratus. Ecol Entomol 16: 25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson JS and Walter GH (1991b) Host population structure affects field sex ratios of the heteronomous hyperparasitoid, Coccophagus atratus. Ecol Entomol 16: 35–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Doutt RL (1947) Polyembryony in Copidosoma koehleri Blanchard. Am Nat 81: 435–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordh G, DeBach P (1976) Male inseminative potential in Aphytis lingnanensis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Can Entomol 108: 583–589

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton WD (1967) Extraordinary sex ratios. Science 156: 477–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivanova-Kasas OM (1972) Polyembryony in insects. In: Counce SJ, Waddington CH (eds) Developmental System: Insects. Vol. 1. Academic Press, London, pp 243–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiby RW (1926) The origin of mixed broods in polyembryonic Hymenoptera. Ann Entomol Soc Am 19: 290–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Myint WW, Walter GH (1990) Behaviour of Spalangia cameroni males and sex ratio theory. Oikos 59: 163–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadel H (1987) Male swarms discovered in Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera: Encytidae, Pteromalidae). Pan-Pacific Entomol 63: 242–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson JT (1919) Polyembryony and sex. J Hered 10: 344–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Swaine G, Ironside DA, Yarrow WHT (1985) Insect Pests of Fruit and Vegetables in Colour. Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane

    Google Scholar 

  • Teakle RE, Jensen JM (1985) Heliothis punctiaer. In: Singh P, Moore RF (eds) Handbook of Insect Rearing. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 313–322

    Google Scholar 

  • van Dijken MJ, van Alphen JJM, van Stratum P (1989) Sex allocation in Epidinocarsis lopezi: local mate competition. Entomol Exp Appl 52: 249–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Waage JK (1982) Sib-mating and sex ratio strategies in Scelionid wasps. Ecol Entomol 7: 103–112

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Walter, G.H., Clarke, A.R. Unisexual broods and sex ratios in a polyembryonic encyrtid parasitoid (Copidosoma sp.: Hymenoptera). Oecologia 89, 147–149 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319027

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319027

Key words

Navigation