Host–parasite interactions of Tribolium confusum and Tribolium castaneum with Hymenolepis diminuta

Abstract

An investigation of (1) host infection and respiration, and (2) parasite development and crowding, between two Tribolium hosts and Hymenolepis diminuta has been carried out.The results show that infection of the host was influenced by temperature but not by the host's species or sex or the number of eggs ingested. The respiration of the host was observed to increase with infection and to occur at a higher rate in Tribolium castaneum and the female sex of each host. The results also indicate that parasite development was more rapid in the female host. The effects of parasitic crowding on the parasite could not be demonstrated. The results of this study are discussed in relation to current knowledge and suggestions about the mechanisms of the aforementioned effects are proposed.