Inter-Patch Movement, Oviposition Behavior and Host-Parasitoid Population Dynamics

斑块是捕食者和被捕食者模型的一个重要特征。 然而，缺乏实证证据证明这种补丁的重要性。 关于移民、移入和殖民化如何受到栖息地内斑块的影响，目前还没有资料。 关于捕食者及其猎物的前和后扩散觅食或产卵行为的行为性质的信息特别缺乏。 这个项目将把种群动态和动物觅食行为的空间考虑联系起来。 它将调查一组相互作用的昆虫物种在高草草原，这是非常适合这些调查。 它将研究如何补丁字符的稻飞虱将影响它和一个重要的寄生蜂。 它将结合联合收割机的一系列实地观察和实验的发展行为为基础的，空间明确的主机寄生虫模型，将测试对自然种群的普查数据。 该项目具有重要的害虫管理和基本生态影响。

CroninDEB-9973789Patches are an important feature of models of predators and their prey. Empirical evidence demonstrating the importance of such patches is lacking, however. Information is unavailable on how emigration, immigration and colonization are influenced by patches within a habitat. Information on the behavioral nature of pre- and post-dispersal foraging or oviposition behavior of predators and their prey is particularly lacking. This project will link spatial considerations of population dynamics and animal foraging behavior. It will investigate a set of interacting insect species within the tall-grass prairie, which is well suited for these investigations. It will examine how patch character for a planthopper will effect it and an important parasitoid. It will combine a series of field observations and experiments with the development of a behaviorally based, spatially explicitly host-parasitoid model which will be tested against census data from natural populations. This project has important pest-management and basic-ecological implications.