Four decades of parasitoid science
Godfray HCJ.
© 2016 The Netherlands Entomological Society. Mark Jervis made important contributions to our understanding of parasitoid biology over a career of around 40 years. This article explores major themes in the evolution of the subject over this period. It looks at the subfields of taxonomy, physiology and cell biology, behavioural and chemical ecology, population ecology, community ecology, and finally biological control, and asks what have been the major drivers of change in these fields. It also asks the degree to which parasitoid biology in these areas has been successful in advancing fundamental knowledge and in applying these insights, especially in agriculture.