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COMPARISON OF KOINABIONTS & IDIOBIONTS
Host specialists with very strict physiological adaptions to
specific hosts. Much host modification is present along with many ways of
preventing encapsulation. |
Large host range with a wide choice of species
available. The host's location is more important. Frequently a highly developed means of finding and reaching
hidden hosts. |
A specific venom is deployed that only functions on a few
species. |
Venom of a generalized type that affects a
wider variety of host species. |
Mostly endoparasitoids that develop inside the body cavity of the
host, with some exceptions. |
Ectoparasitoids that develop outside the body
of their hosts. Nutrients are
absorbed through the integument. |
Host growth and development continues, so that although
specialization occurs in a single stage, all stages may be attacked |
Oviposition occurs when the host is large
enough to fully sustain the parasitoid.
Therefore, llater host stages are selected. |
Oviposition is on exposed hosts while the host is still active
and defensive. |
Oviposition is on hidden hosts that are
paralysed and unable to protect themselves. |
Proovigenic = many small eggs are produced that are mature at the
time that the adult wasp emerges. |
Synovigenic - Several large eggs are produced
that develop in succession over the life of the adult wasp. |
Larvae develop slowly in the early stages thereby permitting the host to grow. |
Larvae develop fast because the host is
paralysed and they must feed as fast as possible before the host dies or is
attacked by other predators. |
Not much host feeding = the adult female imbibes some of the
hosts haemolymph. |
Host feeding is frequent in order to gain
protein to produce more eggs. |
A simple sex ratio that is usually percentage driven |
Sex ratio is determined by host suitability.
Males are generally smaller and require smaller hosts for survival. |
Adults are short-lived |
Adults have a longer life. |