Superparasitism

Definition

The condition in which a single host individual is attacked or parasitized multiple times by one species of parasitoid, resulting in two or more conspecific parasitoid offspring developing in or on the same host. Superparasitism creates intraspecific competition for limited host resources and typically reduces fitness per parasitoid larva.

Etymology

From Latin super- (above, beyond) + parasitismus (parasitism)

Example

A female ichneumonid wasp ovipositing into a caterpillar already containing eggs of her own species; the resulting superparasitism forces the developing larvae to compete for host hemolymph and tissues, often causing higher mortality or smaller adult wasps than in singly parasitized hosts.

Related Terms

• multiparasitism
• Parasitoid
• host discrimination
• gregarious parasitoid
• solitary parasitoid
• intrinsic competition

Usage Notes

Distinguished from multiparasitism, which involves multiple parasitoid species. Superparasitism is usually considered maladaptive for the ovipositing female, but may occur when hosts are scarce, host discrimination is imperfect, or viruses manipulate parasitoid behavior. In gregarious parasitoids, multiple offspring per host is normal and not termed superparasitism; the word applies when the number of parasitoids exceeds the typical or optimal clutch size for the species.