A Model for the Functional Response of Parasitoids

Abstract

A mathematical model is proposed to describe the functional response of parasitoids that imperfectly avoid superparasitism, taking as an example the parasitism of pupae of Musca domestica L. by the gregarious parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis (Wlk.). This new model is considered more satisfactory than former ones, but needs additional experimental data to be reliably validated.