Insects 2012, 3(3), 789-820; doi:10.3390/insects3030789
Review

Behavioral Immunity in Insects

Jacobus C. de Roode 1,* email and Thierry Lefèvre 2 email
1 Department of Biology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA 2 MIVEGEC (UM1-UM2-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), Centre IRD, 911 Av. Agropolis–BP 64501, Montpellier 34394, France
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 27 May 2012; in revised form: 3 July 2012 / Accepted: 10 July 2012 / Published: 15 August 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Immunity)
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Abstract: Parasites can dramatically reduce the fitness of their hosts, and natural selection should favor defense mechanisms that can protect hosts against disease. Much work has focused on understanding genetic and physiological immunity against parasites, but hosts can also use behaviors to avoid infection, reduce parasite growth or alleviate disease symptoms. It is increasingly recognized that such behaviors are common in insects, providing strong protection against parasites and parasitoids. We review the current evidence for behavioral immunity in insects, present a framework for investigating such behavior, and emphasize that behavioral immunity may act through indirect rather than direct fitness benefits. We also discuss the implications for host-parasite co-evolution, local adaptation, and the evolution of non-behavioral physiological immune systems. Finally, we argue that the study of behavioral immunity in insects has much to offer for investigations in vertebrates, in which this topic has traditionally been studied.
Keywords: behavior; immunity; host-parasite interactions; qualitative/quantitative resistance; tolerance; avoidance; medication; virulence; local adaptation

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

de Roode, J.C.; Lefèvre, T. Behavioral Immunity in Insects. Insects 2012, 3, 789-820.

AMA Style

de Roode JC, Lefèvre T. Behavioral Immunity in Insects. Insects. 2012; 3(3):789-820.

Chicago/Turabian Style

de Roode, Jacobus C.; Lefèvre, Thierry. 2012. "Behavioral Immunity in Insects." Insects 3, no. 3: 789-820.

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