Four alternative scenarios of the impact of variation in fungal development rate for Ophiocordyceps and hyperparasitic fungi.

In scenario 1A and B the infection rate (b) is uncorrelated with parasite developmental rate while the rates are correlated in scenario 2A and B, meaning that the time the parasite spends in the mature life stage, as determined by development rate, is positively correlated with the rate at which new infected individuals appear. In scenario 1A and 2A the hyperparasite developmental rate is uncorrelated with parasite development rate while the rates are correlated in scenario 1B and 2B, implying that environmental factors determining fungal growth affect the parasite and hyperparasites in the same way.