文章基本信息

标题：Cannibalism, optimal egg size and vulnerable developmental stages in insect predators
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作者：Anthony F.G. Dixon ; Pavel Kindlmann
期刊名称：European Journal of Environmental Sciences
印刷版ISSN：2336-1964
出版年度：2012
卷号：2
期号：2
语种：English
出版社：Institute for Environmental Studies
摘要：Cannibalism in insect predators is widely reported and commented on. However, the reasons for the high levels of cannibalism observed, the vulnerability of certain developmental stages, and its adaptive significance is poorly understood. Here we show that unlike in parasitoids there could be advantages for a predator in laying many small eggs, rather than fewer large eggs. The temporal incidence of cannibalism within a patch is possibly a consequence of changes in the ratio of predator to prey numbers and/or changes in the vulnerability of the developmental stages of the predator. Cannibalism is advantageous for cannibals because conspecifics are a rich source of food for larval development or egg production, and it reduces intraspecific competition. Adults reduce the cannibalism of their offspring by not ovipositing in patches of prey where conspecific larvae are present.