Plants and insects in interactions: multitrophic associations

Abstract

Studying a biological species, we are very often obliged to examine many other species which are directly or indirectly related to the particular species in order to have broader perspective of its being. Interactions between organisms can be perceived on various levels concerning biological study areas, such as ecology, physiology, morphology etc. In this place, the authors have given some peculiar examples concerning parasitism. This specific interaction is very common in the animal kingdom, having in mind that about a half of all known organisms are parasitic. The importance of this phenomenon is reflected on many aspects of life, propelling evolution and speciation of each member in the relation.

Keywords

• parasitism
• parasitoids
• hosts
• defending strategies