13 - Predators and Parasites

What are the 2 types of parasitic relationships based on the fate of the host?

Parasitoids

Parasites

How does OFT analyze cost-benefits of hunting/scavenging?

Energy/handling time (E/h)

Maximize energy (E) intake and minimize time searching, capturing and eating food (h)

When does a predator move on from an area they are foraging in?

Threshold number of prey encountered

Time in patch reaches threshold

Search time threshold reached

Prey capture threshold reached

What are the different cues that alert a predator that their prey is near?

Sight

Chemical cues

Sound

Light

What are the different structures on insects that they could use to manipulate their prey?

Legs (Mantodea (prolegs), Mecoptera (hindlegs))

Antennae (Chaoboridea fly larvae)

Labial Mask (Odonata nymphs)

How do hymenoptera parasitoids operate?

Locates hosts within wood/plant tissue then oviposit in or on host

Use paralyzing sting and move host to burrow

How do diptera parasitoids operate?

Oviposit or larviposit directly on or in host

Heteromorphosis (hypermetamorphosis)

Phoresy with eggs

What are the different ways parasitoids can avoid their host’s immune system?

Avoidance (feed externally or enter an organ)

Evasion (hide by mimicking host proteins)

Destruction (Gross feeding on haemocytes)

Suppression (intro of viruses that suppress immune response of host)

Subversion (physical resistance of encapsulation)

What are the different types of parasitoid development?

Idiobiont

Koinobiont