REU: Influence of Local Landscape Structure on the Distribution, Abundance and Movement of Insects

了解当地景观的影响 昆虫种群动态的结构是迫切需要的， 解决有关农业生态系统重新设计的问题。 的in 深入研究特定的苜蓿草食动物和捕食者， 提出了一种多样化的生态农业景观。 一 地理信息系统将作为 在建立关系的主要分析工具， 景观复杂性和昆虫。 以下目标是 建议：描述当地生态系统的特点 捕食性瓢虫，蚜虫猎物和叶蝉移民， 紫花苜蓿开始定植;量化小气候因素 影响昆虫的发育和传播， 越冬地点春季栖息地;测量和确定 景观结构多样性对初始定殖影响 苜蓿的天敌和害虫， 苜蓿的干扰与苜蓿切割 收获。 这些结果将用于对以下项目进行地理信息系统评估： 景观对昆虫动态的影响 这项研究将提供 关于捕食者/猎物动态的基本信息， 的风景.

An understanding of the influence of local landscape structure on insect population dynamics is critically needed to address questions concerning agro-ecosytem re-design. An in depth examination of specific alfalfa herbivores and predators in a diverse ecological-agricultural landscape is proposed. A Geographic Information System (GIS) will be employed as the principal analytical tool in establishing relationships between landscape complexity and insects. The following objectives are proposed: characterize local ecosytems wide distribution of predaceous coccinellids, aphid prey and leafhopper migrants as colonization of alfalfa begins; quantify microclimate factors which influence insect development in and dispersal from over- wintering sites to spring habitats; measure and determine the effect of landscape structural diversity on initial colonization of alfalfa by insect predators and pests, and the recolonization of alfalfa following disturbance associated with alfalfa cutting and harvest. These results will be used in a GIS assessment of landscape effects on insect dynamics. This research will provide essential information on predator/prey dynamics across landscapes.