Inverse Density‐Dependent Parasitism of Cornus Amomum Fruit by Rhagoletis Cornivora

We tested the prediction that decreased fruit density would lead to decreased parasitism of Cornus amomum fruits by Rhagoletis cornivora flies in a field manipulation. Fruit density following manipulation ranged from no reduction to 88% reduction. We found no evidence of parasitism decreasing with fruit density. Instead, the relationship was inversely density dependent. Although individual tephritid fruit flies concentrate attacks on fruits in areas of high fruit densities, the searching behavior of individual flies apparently does not result in a density—dependent pattern of parasitism at the population level.