Dear colleagues,

In the framework of the research project BACCARA (http://www.baccara-project.eu), we are presently carrying out a meta-analysis on variations of insect parasitism along elevation gradients (considered here as analogues of climate change). For this, we are looking for data on parasitism along elevational gradients. What we are looking for is:

1. Parasitism and/or parasitoid richness of one particular herbivorous insect (no need to be forest insect, although most cases are indeed forest insects) at at least 4 different elevations. We realise that clear transects on a single slope are rare, so we also welcome data on parasitism at different altitudes in a climatically similar region, even when collected on different slopes

2. Insects should preferably be collected from the same plant

3. The elevation difference between the highest and lowest points should be at least 300m but, if the transect is short and on a single slope, 200m is also acceptable.

4. We are interested in total parasitism rates as well as parasitism rates by single parasitoid species and by parasitoid richness (= number of parasitoid species).

If you are aware of such data, we would be grateful if you could let us know. We have already surveyed most of the literature, especially international publications with altitude/elevation and parasitism/parasitoid cited in the abstract. However, papers with data on parasitism at different elevations, in which the elevation factor is not central, are more difficult to find. Furthermore, such data are often found in unpublished theses and reports but tend to disappear when and if the data are published in journals.

I thank you in advance for your help. Also, sorry for cross-posting in case you receive this message twice

Best regards,

Marc Kenis

Marc Kenis
Head, Risk Analysis and Invasion Ecology
CABI Europe – Switzerland
Rue des Grillons 1
CH-2800 Delémont
Switzerland

Telephone:  +41 (0)32 4214884
Fax:  +41 (0)32 4214871
Email: m.kenis@cabi.org
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