Intraspecific competition among first instars of the parasitic wasp Biosteres longicaudatus.

Females of the solitary endoparasitic wasp Biosteres longicaudatus sometimes deposit >1 egg (superparasitism) in each larva of the Caribbean fruit fly host, Anastrepha suspensa. As host density increases, there is an inverse relationship between the level of superparasitism and the number of progeny produced/female. Larval parasitoid competition in superparasitized hosts causes an abrupt decline from >1 to 1 or <1 parasitoid/host 24-36 h before the surviving parasitoid larva molts to the 2nd instar. The mechanism by which supernumaries are eliminated was investigated by indirect, in vivo and direct, in vitro methods. There is no apparent competition between parasitoid eggs of the same age. Parasitoid first instars utilize their heavily sclerotized mandibles to eliminate competitors, some of which are subsequently encapsulated by the host. First instars in vitro produce a substance that kills conspecifics. Presumably, this substance is secreted into the surrounding medium. One of each pair of parasitoid first instars, evenly matched for age and size, may live up to 6.4 days longer and grow to 0.13 mm larger than the other. Thus, B. longicaudatus, like other solitary endoparasitoids eliminates competitors by both combat and interference competitions. The latter case, presumably involves allelochemical toxins against conspecifics in the absence of physical encounter.