Adaptive suicidal behaviour in pea aphids

摘要: The host suicide hypothesis1, which derives from inclusive fitness theory2, postulates that parasitized individuals in spatially aggregated populations consisting of close kin may actively enhance their probability dying. cost associated with becomes negligible when infection by a parasitoid causes the expected reproduction to approach zero. But will benefit suicide, if its death (and parasite) level subsequent parasitism is reduced relative non-kin. Although conceptually appealing, has not yet been clearly demonstrated3. Here we report pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) braconid wasp Aphidius ervi, exhibit apparent suicidal behaviour response both alarm pheromone and approaching coccinellid (ladybird beetle) predators. We believe this be first convincing evidence support hypothesis.