Entomological Society of Canada Student Member Information Form

Name: Véronique Martel

University: McGill University

Address: Centre de Recherche et Développement en Horticulture, 430 boul. Gouin, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, J3B 3E6

E-mail Address: martelv@agr.gc.ca

Advisor(s): Guy Boivin

Thesis Title: " Reproductive strategies of males Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)"

Research Summary: It has long been accepted that males can produce unlimited sperm because these gametes are cheaper to produce than eggs, and that their strategy was then to inseminate as many females as possible because they were only limited by the number of female they can inseminate. However, it is now more largely accepted that male's gametes production induces non-trivial costs and that males must show some economy when using their sperm. In fact, ejaculates, which contain high number of sperm, are the functional unit and their cost is greater than that of individual spermatozoid. In addition, sperm are not the only limiting factor for males' reproduction; other seminal products and behavioural factors can also limit access of males to females, and the expenditures is more than gametes. Males, like females, should then use different strategies optimizing their fitness, by modifying their ejaculate size and mate choice.

Most studies on insect parasitoids reproductive strategy have investigated the behaviour of females and its consequences on parasitism. Rarer are the studies looking at the males' reproductive strategy. Consequently, little information is available on the male's sperm utilization decisions and impacts. The aim of this study is to investigate different aspects of the reproductive strategy of males Trichogramma evanescens, including utilization of their gametes.

Keywords: Egg parasitoids, Trichogramma, reproductive strategies, spermatozoa, paternal investment

Degrees Sought: Ph.D.

Expected Year of Completion: 2007

Publication(s):

- Martel, V. & G. Boivin (In press) Local and non-local investments by male Trichogramma evanescens. Egg Parasitoid News 15.
- Martel, V. & G. Boivin (In press) Pre-mating dispersion in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma (Hymenoptera : Trichogrammatidae). Environmental Entomology.
- Martel, V. & G. Boivin (2004) Impact of competition on the sex allocation by Trichogramma. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 111: 29-35.
- Martel, V. (2004) Allocation optimale des sexes chez les guêpesparasitoïdes. Antennae 11(1):5-9.
- Martel, V. (2003) Profil de labo : Le labo Boivin, CRDH -Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada. Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada 35 (3): 133-135.
- Martel, V. & G. Boivin (2002) Intra- and interspecific competition in Trichogramma minutum and T. pintoi. Egg Parasitoid News 14: 20.