Egg limitation and individual variation in parasitization risk among hosts in host-parasitoid dynamics

Egg limitation is known to destabilize host-parasitoid dynamics. This study reexamines the effect of egg limitation in light of the individual variation in parasitization risk among hosts (e.g., some hosts are more likely to be parasitized than others). Previous studies have considered egg limitation (predicted as a destabilizing factor) and individual variation among hosts (predicted as a stabilizing factor) in isolation; however, their interaction is not known. An individual-based model was used to examine the effects of each factor and their interaction. The model-based analysis shows a clear interaction between egg limitation and individual variation in risk among hosts. Egg limitation can both stabilize and destabilize host-parasitioid dynamics depending on the presence and absence of the risk variation. The result suggests that the population-dynamic consequences of egg limitation are more complex than previously thought and emphasizes the importance of the simultaneous consideration of multiple ecological factors (with individual-level details) to uncover potential interactions among them.