Dissertation Research: The Effects of Spatial Heterogeneity and Age Distribution on Predator-Prey Dynamics

尽管最近关于捕食的理论和经验研究表明，捕食者数量的空间异质性可以定性地影响捕食者-猎物相互作用的结果，但捕食者聚集的机制鲜为人知。在这项研究中，田间实验和计算机模拟将确定臭虫的饥饿依赖迁移率是否对其捕食科罗拉多马铃薯甲虫Leptinotarsa decimlineata(鞘翅目：叶甲科)的聚集模式起作用。年龄和阶段结构对捕食者-猎物相互作用的影响也引起了相当大的理论关注。年龄结构的一个重要影响发生在幼年捕食者较小的时候，并且只能有效地攻击它们的猎物的某些阶段。因此，除了聚集行为外，还将研究捕食阶段对幼龄苏云金杆菌生长和存活的影响，以及对苏云金杆菌种群数量响应的影响。关于聚集行为和被捕食阶段对数值反应的影响的信息将被用来评估苏云金杆菌调节其被捕食的能力，并评估其作为生物防治试剂的能力。

Although recent theoretical and empirical work on predation has shown that spatial heterogeneity in the abundance of predators can qualitatively affect the outcomes of predator-prey interactions, the mechanisms by which predators aggregate are poorly known. In this study field experiments and a computer simulation will determine whether the hunger dependent emigration rate of a stinkbug, Perillus bioculatus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is responsible for its pattern of aggregation to its prey Leptinotarsa decimlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), the Colorado Potato Beetle. Considerable theoretical attention has also been devoted to the effect of age and stage structure on predator-prey interactions. An important effect of age structure occurs when juvenile predators are small, and only able to attack some stages of their prey effectively. Therefore, in addition to aggregation behavior, the effect of prey stage on the growth and survivorship of Perillus juveniles, and on the numerical response of the Perillus population will be examined. The information on aggregation behavior and the effect of prey stage on the numerical response will be used to evaluate the ability of Perillus to regulate its prey, and to assess its competence as an agent of biological control.