Hyperparasitism

Parasites of parasites: chaotic trophic cascades across 3 levels

Population Dynamics (Lotka-Volterra 3-species)

Hosts (H)--
Parasitoids (P)--
Hyperparasitoids (Q)--
System stateStable

Biological Control Impact

Hyperparasitoids attack the parasitoids used in biocontrol, potentially releasing pest host populations. This is a key problem in classical biocontrol: introducing a parasitoid may itself attract or co-evolve hyperparasitoids that undermine pest suppression.

Pest suppression--
Biocontrol effectiveness--
Oscillation period--