Antlion Zones: Consequences of High-Density Predator Aggregations

本研究旨在了解高密度捕食者聚集对猎物行为和捕食者-捕食者相互作用的影响。在俄克拉何马州中部，两种食肉蚁幼虫（神经翅目：蚁科）在砂岩悬崖底部的狭窄地带以非常高的密度共存。从猎物的角度来看，对这种空间持续性捕食风险的行为反应是什么？研究了蚂蚁的觅食策略对捕食风险和觅食奖励的响应。从捕食者的角度来看，区域内物种之间的相互作用是什么？这些相互作用的本质将通过一系列操纵捕食者密度和食物供应的野外实验来揭示。该研究结果将揭示捕食者-猎物相互作用的细节，并可能为节肢动物害虫的生物控制提供有效的策略。

This study seeks to understand the consequences of high- density predator aggregations to prey behavior and predator- predator interactions. In central Oklahoma, two species of predaceous antlion larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) coexist at very high densities in a narrow zone at the base of sandstone cliffs. From the prey's perspective, what are the behavioral responses to this spatially persistent predation risk? The foraging strategy of ants will be studied in response to experimental field manipulations of predation risk and foraging reward. From the predator's perspective, what are the interactions between species that occur within the zone? The nature of these interactions will be revealed through a series of field experiments that manipulate predator density and food supply. The results of this study will shed light on the details of predator-prey interactions, and may provide insight into effective strategies for biological control of arthropod pests.