Linking Population Processes and Biogeography: A Geographic Study of an Insect Herbivore

种群调节学研究种群在其生长过程中如何被调节的生态学 数量和丰度已经从单因素调查 对多种因素进行更复杂的分析。 植物及其 昆虫植食性提供了一个有利的系统， 操纵，以梳理这些多重相互作用， 因素 哈里森博士在一个规划补助金是研究西方 以羽扇豆为食的草丛蛾，横跨南北1000公里 样带 对羽扇豆牧草的竞争以及捕食 蚂蚁和其他捕食蛾幼虫的昆虫 通过实验围栏和其他操作进行研究。 寄生虫和昆虫传播也在监测之中， 建立一个抽象的人口调控模型， 确定南北沿着不同的控制点 气候梯度 %%% 生态因素的复杂性影响了数量和 大量的生物使得实验操作具有挑战性 但这是必要的 哈里森博士在一项研究计划补助金， 开始了对西部草丛蛾的雄心勃勃的研究 以加州沿海的本地羽扇豆为食，沿着 蚂蚁和蛾类等昆虫的捕食者，沿沿着向北1000公里- 南样带 一个目标是确定控制因素， 蛾类的种群调节， 纬度范围的不同部分。

The ecological study of how populations are regulated in their numbers and abundance has moved from single-factor investigations to more complex analyses of multiple factors. Plants and their insect herbivores present a favorable system for experimental manipulation in order to tease apart these multiply interacting factors. Dr. Harrison in a planning grant is studying the western tussock moth that feeds upon lupines across a 1000 km north-south transect. Competition for lupine herbage as well as predation by ants and other insect predators upon the moth larvae are being studied through experimental enclosures and other manipulations. Parasitism and insect dispersal are also being monitored in order to construct an abstract model of population regulation, with identification of differing control points along the north-south climatic gradient. %%% The complexity of ecological factors affecting the numbers and abundance of organisms makes experimental manipulations challenging but necessary. Dr. Harrison in a research planning grant is beginning an ambitious investigation of the western tussock moth that feeds on native lupines in coastal California, along with the ant and other insect predators of the moth, along a 1000 km north- south transect. One goal is to identify controlling factors in the population regulation of moths that are likely to differ in different parts of its latitudinal range.