Appendix 1: Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values for different models testing the relationship between physiological parameters (development time and potential fecundity) of Aphidus colemani developing in different instar of its aphid host (Myzus persicae). The selected models (with lowest AIC values) are italicised.

Model / Nb observations / Nb parameters / AIC / F / p
Development time / Males / Linear / 331 / 3 / 178.08 / 95.36 / < 0.001
Log / 331 / 3 / 167.71 / 108.86 / < 0.001
Inverse / 331 / 3 / 167.81 / 108.73 / < 0.001
Quadratic / 331 / 4 / 168.78 / 54.88 / < 0.001
Cubic / 331 / 5 / 170.07 / 36.78 / < 0.001
Power / 331 / 3 / 170.02 / 110.03 / < 0.001
Exponential / 331 / 3 / 169.40 / 97.42 / < 0.001
Females / Linear / 323 / 3 / 163.35 / 149.78 / < 0.001
Log / 323 / 3 / 155.34 / 161.60 / < 0.001
Inverse / 323 / 3 / 161.90 / 151.90 / < 0.001
Quadratic / 323 / 4 / 159.23 / 79.15 / < 0.001
Cubic / 323 / 5 / 157.90 / 54.24 / < 0.001
Power / 323 / 3 / 158.14 / 162.90 / < 0.001
Exponential / 323 / 1 / 158.52 / 153.62 / < 0.001
Fecundity / Linear / 296 / 3 / 3149.93 / 9.35 / 0.002
Log / 296 / 3 / 2480.99 / 13.63 / < 0.001
Inverse / 296 / 3 / 2478.67 / 16.05 / < 0.001
Quadratic / 296 / 4 / 2476.10 / 10.41 / < 0.001
Cubic / 296 / 5 / 2477.41 / 7.16 / < 0.001
Power / 296 / 3 / 2487.37 / 9.39 / 0.002
Exponential / 296 / 3 / 2485.00 / 6.95 / 0.009
Handling time / Linear / 97 / 3 / 1385.97 / 265.66 / < 0.001
Log / 97 / 3 / 1425.79 / 143.56 / < 0.001
Inverse / 97 / 3 / 1457.29 / 76.84 / < 0.001
Quadratic / 97 / 4 / 1350.30 / 217.09 / < 0.001
Cubic / 97 / 5 / 1345.91 / 155.56 / < 0.001
Power / 97 / 3 / -235.95 / 307.10 / < 0.001
Exponential / 97 / 3 / -277.11 / 520.65 / < 0.001