Collaborative Research: An Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Ecology of the Control of Red Scale by Aphytis

合作研究：蚜虫防治红鳞病生态学的实验与理论研究

• 批准号: 8917774
• 负责人: William Murdoch
• 金额: $ 30.08万
• 依托单位: University of California-Santa Barbara
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1990
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1990-02-01 至 1994-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=8917774&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Experimental; Theoretical; Study

Control of the insect pest, red scale, on citrus trees by the parasitoid Aphytis melinus is a classic example of biological control resulting in a stable interaction. We have tested and rejected eight hypotheses seeking to explain stability in such systems. We have demonstrated that one mechanism, a spatial refuge, actually decreases stability. Using a combination of modelling and field experimentation, we will investigate the role of three other potential stabilizing mechanisms: the presence of an invulnerable adult stage of scale, and size-dependent sex- allocation and host-feeding by Aphytis. Using the same approach we will also explore the dynamic effects of the spatial refuge and will begin evaluating the effects of a minor parasitoid, Encarsia. Our research will provide general ecological insight into the mechanisms influencing the dynamics of predator-prey systems, will extend both general ecological theory and the development and testing of realistic models, and will help elucidate the distinguishing features of successful biological control.

柑桔类寄生蜂葡萄球菌（Aphytis melinus）对柑桔树红蚧的防治是生物防治的一个典型例子，其相互作用稳定。我们已经测试并拒绝了八种试图解释这种系统稳定性的假设。我们已经证明了一种机制，空间避难，实际上会降低稳定性。通过模型和实地实验的结合，我们将研究其他三种潜在的稳定机制的作用：不可攻击的成虫阶段的存在，以及葡萄球菌依赖于大小的性别分配和寄主摄食。使用同样的方法，我们还将探索空间避难所的动态影响，并将开始评估一种小型寄生蜂Encarsia的影响。我们的研究将为影响捕食者-猎物系统动力学的机制提供一般的生态学见解，将扩展一般生态学理论和现实模型的开发和测试，并将有助于阐明成功的生物控制的显着特征。