A re?assessment of within?host mating behavior in the <i>Nasonia</i> species complex

Insects have a wide variety of mating systems. For parasitic wasps, sites are often confined to where their hosts occur and this mutual interaction therefore greatly affects the evolution alternative strategies. Parasitoids genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) – comprising species vitripennis (Walker), longicornis Darling, giraulti oneida Raychouhury & Desjardins parasitize blowfly pupae typically mate immediately after emergence females from host puparium. However, in one species, N. giraulti, predominantly occurs within host. Here, we re-assess within-host (WHM) rates genus, using laboratory lines field-collected hosts, including for which no data were available yet. We confirm that WHM low longicornis, but high giraulti. is rare oneida, despite its sympatry close phylogenetic relationship with Multiparasitization experiments resulted lower proportions To evaluate whether was due an exit hole pupa created by males may result possibly prior artificially holes parasitized only. This also yielded proportion. Progeny analysis interspecific crosses generating hybrid female non-hybrid male offspring, revealed largely determined maternal and, hence, offspring belong. conclude male-mediated trait resulting refraining making inside discuss how these findings can be used contributes preventing hybridization.