Insect Herbivore-Host Dynamics Tree-Delling Aphids [Paperback]

First published in 2005, this text introduces students and research workers to insect herbivorehost dynamics using the interaction between aphids and trees.This book is designed to introduce students and research workers to insect herbivore-host dynamics using the interaction between aphids and trees as a model. The author challenges the current paradigm that assumes the population dynamics of insect herbivores is heavily influenced by the action of their natural enemies and shows that tree dwelling species of aphids, through competition for resources, regulate their own abundance. Analyses from long-term population censuses and experiments, demonstrate that available resources are the greater influence on the population.This book is designed to introduce students and research workers to insect herbivore-host dynamics using the interaction between aphids and trees as a model. The author challenges the current paradigm that assumes the population dynamics of insect herbivores is heavily influenced by the action of their natural enemies and shows that tree dwelling species of aphids, through competition for resources, regulate their own abundance. Analyses from long-term population censuses and experiments, demonstrate that available resources are the greater influence on the population.Designed to introduce students and research workers to insect herbivore-host dynamics, this book uses the interaction between aphids and trees as a model. Challenging the belief that population dynamics of insect herbivores are heavily influenced by the action of their natural enemies, it demonstrates that tree dwelling species of aphids actually regulate their own population through competition for resources.1. Introduction; 2. Tree dwelling aphids; 3. Trees as a habitat for aphids: relation to host plant; 4. Trees as a habitat for aphids: relation to natural enemies; 5. Carrying capacity of trees; 6. Aphid abundance; 7. Population dynamics; 8. Risky dispersal; 9. Seasonal sex allocalã¾