Dissertation Research: Population Establishment and Spread of Two Exotic Beetles in Comparison to a Closely Related Native: An Experimental Study of Invasion Dynamics

小行星9311273 本文介绍了两种近缘的欧洲拟金龟子（Galerucella calmariensis和G. pusilla）用于生物防治湿地中的问题杂草千屈菜（Lythrum salicaria），是研究生态入侵的种群动态的独特机会。 第三个同属种为G. nympheae，原产于北美，只在有限的地方以紫色的金钱草为食。 该研究采用比较的方法来评估影响这三个甲虫种群的本地建立和地理传播的因素。 将使用在孤立地点重复释放的方法，确定物种之间和释放的昆虫数量不同的地方定居概率的差异。 一个单独的、单一的、大型的发布版本将用于跟踪在异构环境中的传播模式。 入侵生物学，即外来物种的建立和传播的研究，是一个日益受到关注和重视的领域，特别是随着人类在地区之间生物交流中的影响显着增加。 该项目的重点是影响外来种群的建立和传播的因素及其在害虫物种生物控制中的作用。 *** S 快递 (0N（s0p12h10 (0N（s0p12h10.0v0s0b3T , , % 2 0 _ R S 小行星9311273 本文介绍了两种近缘的欧洲拟金龟子（Galerucella calmariensi s和G. pusilla） B S G 我 ! ! ! ! F $ $ ( Times New Roman 符号Arial " H C E K e , P 博士论文 伊丽莎白·M.伊丽莎白·M. Behrens

9311273 Root The introduction of two closely related European chrysomelid beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla) by the U.S.D.A. for the biological control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and problem weed in wetlands, is a unique opportunity to study the population dynamics of ecological invasions. A third congeneric species, G. nympheae, is native to North America and feeds on purple loosestrife only in limited locations. The study uses a comparative approach to assess the factors affecting both local establishment and geographical spread of these three beetle populations. Differences in the probability of local establishment, both among species and for different numbers of insects released, will be determined using replicated releases in isolated locations. A separate, single, large release will be used to track the patterns of spread through a heterogeneous environment. %%% Invasion biology, the study of the establishment and spread of exotic species, is a field of growing interest and importance, particularly as the impact of humans in biological exchanges between regions has increased markedly. This project focuses on factors influencing the establishment and spread of exotic populations and their role in the biological control of pest species. *** S Courier (0N (s0p12h10 (0N (s0p12h10.0v0s0b3T , , % 2 0 _ R S 9311273 Root The introduction of two closely related European chrysomelid beetles (Galerucella calmariensi s and G. pusilla) B S G I ! ! ! ! F $ $ ( Times New Roman Symbol & Arial " h C E K e , P Doctoral Dissertation Elizabeth M. Behrens Elizabeth M. Behrens