Intra-host interspecific larval parasitoid competition solved using modelling and bayesian statistics

The results showed that the species differed in competitive behavior, some species were better competitors than others. Individuals arriving earlier had a competitive advantage, the weaker species were able to outcompete the stronger ones if the time advantage was longer than 18 h. All the species avoided already parasitized hosts, but in different degrees. The functional response was also different, with the best competitors having shorter estimated handling times. Using this analytical approach on a conventional experimental setup, we gained insights in the mechanism of competition, both on interference and exploitation, and in terms of host selection, all in a single analysis.