> Given the omnipresence of pathogens and parasites in the natural world, the most likely scenario is that concomitant infections are prevalent. A recent study by Hughes and Boomsma shows that avirulent microorganisms out-compete virulent parasites in simultaneous infections once the virulent parasite breaks down the host’s immune defence. Therefore, the ‘mix’ of the pathogen cocktail will be crucial to the infection (and host response) outcome. This observation poses considerable challenges for studies of insect immunity. How are concomitant infections dealt with by the host? Can resources for defence (e.g. essential amino acids), be depleted during these complex insults?

Insect Immunity: An Evolutionary Ecology Perspective
Michael T. Siva-Jothya, Yannick Moretb and Jens Rolffa

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Peter Loring Borst
Ithaca, NY  USA

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