The number of parasitoids developed per host is one of the major factors that influences future adult body size and reproductive success. Here, we examined four external factors (host species, heritability, host population density, and presence of predators) that can affect the number of the gregarious parasitoid Anaphes flavipes (Förster, 1841) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) wasps developing in one host. The effect of host population density on the number of parasitoid offspring developed per host was confirmed, and for the first time, we also showed that the number of offspring per host is influenced by the presence of predators. Low host density and presence of predators increases the number of wasps developed in one host egg. However, a higher number of A. flavipes in one host reduces A. flavipes body size and hence its future individual fertility and fitness. Our results highlighted the importance of some external factors that distinctly affect the number of wasp offspring. Therefore, in this context, we suggest that in comparison to solitary parasitoids, the gregarious parasitoid A. flavipes can better respond to various external factors and can more flexibly change its population density.

Crop Research Institute Drnovská 507 CZ 161 06 Praha 6 Ruzyně Czech Republic

Department of Zoology Faculty of Science Charles University Viničná 7 CZ 128 43 Praha 2 Czech Republic

Department of Zoology Faculty of Science Charles University Viničná 7 CZ 128 43 Praha 2 Czech Republic Institute of Entomology Biological Centre Czech Academy of Sciences Branišovská 31 CZ 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

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