Parasitoids:
Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology
H.C.J. Godfray

One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Books of 1994

Paper | 1993 | $69.00 / £47.95
488 pp. | 6 x 9 | 69 line illus.

Shopping Cart | Reviews | Table of Contents

Parasitoids lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other species of insect, and the parasitoid larvae develop by feeding on the host, causing its eventual death. Known for a long time to applied biologists for their importance in regulating the population densities of economic pests, parasitoids have recently proven to be valuable tools in testing many aspects of evolutionary theory. This book synthesizes the work of both schools of parasitoid biology and asks how a consideration of evolutionary biology can help us understand the behavior, ecology, and diversity of the approximately one to two million species of parasitoid found on earth.

After a general introduction to parasitoid natural history and taxonomy, the first part of the book treats the different components of the reproductive strategy of parasitoids: searching for a host, host selection, clutch size, and the sex ratio. Subsequent chapters discuss pathogens and non-Mendelian genetic elements that affect sexual reproduction; evolutionary aspects of the physiological interactions between parasitoid and host; mating strategies; life history theory and community ecology. A special effort is made to discuss the theoretical background to the subject, but without the use of mathematics.

Review:

"Godfray gives us an interesting and complete review of the taxonomy, evolution, and natural history of parasitoids ... [however] the true value of this book lies in its synthesis of theoretical and empirical aspects of parasitoid biology."--Behavioral Ecology

Table of Contents

Series:

• Monographs in Behavior and Ecology
  John Krebs and T. H. Clutton-Brock, Series Editors

Subject Area:

• Biological Sciences

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For customers in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Australia
Paper: $69.00 ISBN13: 978-0-691-00047-3

For customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India
Paper: £47.95 ISBN13: 978-0-691-00047-3

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