Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T04:31:15.290Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

PREDATOR REPRODUCTION AND THE OVERALL PREDATOR-PREY RELATIONSHIP

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Abstract

Previous work described the effects of predation of pea aphids by adult coccinellids. That work has been extended to cover the entire reproductive cycle of the coccinellids. The relationship between amount of aphids eaten, and numbers of coccinellid eggs produced, was determined in the laboratory and used to predict numbers of eggs produced in the field. The survival rate of the eggs to adults, as a function of aphid density, was estimated in large field cages and in small enclosures. These relationships were incorporated into a population model for both predators and prey. The model has been validated against field data. It suggests that predator reproduction is optimized when conditions are very good. The significance for optimal foraging theory and biological control is discussed.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Blackman, R. L. 1967. The effects of different aphid foods on Adalia bipunctata L. and Coccinella septempunctata L. Ann. appl. Biol. 59: 207219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chamov, E. L., Frazer, B. D., Gilbert, N., and Raworth, D.. 1976. Fishing for aphids. J. appl. Ecol. 13: 379389.Google Scholar
Dixon, A. F. G. 1959. An experimental study of the searching behavior of the predatory coccinellid beetle Adalia decempunctata (L.). J. Anim. Ecol. 28: 259281.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, R. A. 1930. The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection. Clarendon Press, Oxford.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frazer, B. D. and Gilbert, N.. 1976. Coccinellids and aphids; a quantitative study of the impact of adult ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preying on field populations of pea aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae). J. ent. Soc. Br. Columb. 73: 3356.Google Scholar
Hodek, I. 1973. Biology of Coccinellidae. Junk, The Hague.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ignoffo, C. M., Garcia, C., Dickerson, W. A., Schmidt, G. T., and Blever, K. D.. 1977. Imprisonment of entomophages to increase effectiveness: evaluation of a concept. J. econ. Ent. 70: 292294.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindsley, D. L. and Grell, E. H.. 1967. Genetic variations of Drosophila melanogaster. Publs. Carnegie Instn (Washington) 627.Google Scholar
Pope, R. D. 1977. Brachyptery and wing-polymorphism among the Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). Syst. Ent. 2: 5966.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pyke, G. H., Pullam, H. R., and Charnov, E. L.. 1977. Optimal foraging: a selective review of theory and tests. Quart. Rev. Biol. 52: 137154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar