Abstract: Lethal interference competition, which is ubiquitous among many parasitoid species, is a more complicated interspecific relationship and an extreme form of competition. The special multi-specific interaction in the communities of insect natural enemies in such aspects as its definition, pathway, action mechanism and applications to biological control was reviewed. According to the different mechanisms of action, it can be classified as extrinsic and intrinsic competition. Multiparasitism (superparasitism), hyperparasitism, ovicide, host-feeding, physical attack and physiological suppression are known as several mechanisms of lethal interference competition. The main purpose of this review is to reveal this complicated interaction among multiple parasitoids and to help making a sound decision on selection, importation and release of effective biological agents. This is important to the stability of insect biological control system.

Key words: Insect community, lethal interference competition, interspecific competition, intraspecific competition, biological control, natural enemy, parasitoid