Abstract
We present observations and experimental evidence for a new type of parasitoid-host interaction. In the Lampides boeticus (Lepidoptera) - Cotesia specularis (Hymenoptera) system, larvae of the former species readily kill and consume the parasitoid cocoons they find. Potential effects at both the individual and population levels are briefly outlined.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Dr. Mark Shaw for the identification of parasitoids. We wish to warmly thank Myron Zalucki, Jeffrey A. Harvey and one anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments on the manuscript. This study was financially supported by a grant from Ingeniería y Gestión del Sur/IPA and AQUAVIR to DJB.
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Obregón, R., de Haro, S., Jordano, D. et al. Lampides Boeticus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Preys on Cocoons of its Own Specific Parasitoid Cotesia Specularis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). J Insect Behav 25, 514–517 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9318-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9318-8