Intra-host interspecific larval parasitoid competition solved using modelling and bayesian statistics

Intraguild competition is a complex phenomenon that shapes parasitoid communities. When several species of parasitoids oviposit within the same individual host, a complex phenomenon of larval competitive interaction occurs. Within the same guild there is a specialization in competitive strategies, sometimes multiparasitism is avoided, but some species are facultative hyperparasitoids/predators of their competitors. As these interactions occur within a very small host and during a brief period of time, and that direct observation is very difficult to achieve, we used an alternative methodological approach. We analyzed intraguild host competition mechanisms via the combination of a series of competitive behavioral and functional response models, thurstonian competition model and set theory. These models were fitted via a reversible-jump bayesian model selection procedure to a series of competition experiments data using larvae of three species of Gonatocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), egg parasitoids of the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) as a case-of-study. This study tests the influence of intrinsic interspecific competition between inmature stages within on an individual host, and parasitoid arrival order among the three parasitoid species. The results showed that the species differed in competitive behavior, some species were better competitors than others. Individuals arriving earlier had a competitive advantage, the weaker species were able to out compete the stronger ones if the time advantage was longer than 18 h. All the species avoided already parasitized hosts, but in different degrees. The functional response was also different, with the best competitors having shorter estimated handling times. Using this analytical approach on a conventional experimental setup, we gained insights in the mechanism of competition, both on interference and exploitation, and in terms of host selection, all in a single analysis.