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Insects
Special Issues
Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice
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Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2018) | Viewed by 37146

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. John E. Banks

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center, California State University, Monterey Bay, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955, USA
Interests: agricultural ecology; conservation science; ecotoxicology; quantitative ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of population dynamics has been a cornerstone of insect ecology for centuries. Understanding how and why insect populations change through time is critical to making sense of ecological interactions as well as projecting future population trends. The combination of empirical data and quantitative approaches, especially the use of mathematical modelling, is a powerful approach to describing and understanding insect population dynamics.

In this Special Issue, we invite manuscripts that explore insect population dynamics. This includes empirical studies that use laboratory, greenhouse, field, or semi-field data, as well as studies that employ mathematical or statistical models to better understand insect population dynamics.

I look forward to receiving your submissions

Dr. John E. Banks
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Please note that for papers submitted after 1 July 2018 an APC of 1000 CHF applies.

Keywords

  • population regulation
  • quantitative
  • time-series
  • mathematics
  • statistics
  • stage-structure

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1473 KiB  
Article
Annual Abundance and Population Structure of Two Dung Beetle Species in a Human-Modified Landscape
by Julliana W. Barretto, Carlos A. Cultid-Medina and Federico Escobar
Insects 2019, 10(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10010002 - 28 Dec 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4528
Abstract
Population studies are essential for understanding different aspects of species’ biology, estimating extinction probability, and determining evolutionary and life history. Using the mark-recapture method, we studied the abundance and population structure of dung beetle species (Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas) over [...] Read more.
Population studies are essential for understanding different aspects of species’ biology, estimating extinction probability, and determining evolutionary and life history. Using the mark-recapture method, we studied the abundance and population structure of dung beetle species (Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas) over one year in a human-modified landscape in Mexico. We captured 1960 individuals with a net recapture rate of 11%. Deltochilum mexicanum had a higher rate of recapture (14%) than Dichotomius satanas (5%). Annual variation in abundance was similar for both species, with maximum abundance occurring in summer and a marked reduction during winter. Deltochilum mexicanum was dominant inside the forest, and its abundance was influenced by vegetation cover, temperature, and humidity. Dichotomius satanas was more frequent outside the forest, and none of the considered environmental variables affected its abundance. The adult sex ratio of Deltochilum mexicanum was female-biased, whereas that of Dichotomius satanas was male-biased. The maximum estimated population size was similar for both species, but Deltochilum mexicanum had a higher number of new individuals and survival rate. Since species with different biological attributes presented a similar pattern of abundance and population structure, we conclude that environmental conditions are the main regulator of dung beetle populations in the human-modified landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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11 pages, 994 KiB  
Article
Interactions between Two Biological Control Agents on Lygodium microphyllum
by Ian Jones and Ellen C. Lake
Insects 2018, 9(4), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040180 - 2 Dec 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2772
Abstract
Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae) is an invasive climbing fern in peninsular Florida. Two classical biological control agents are currently being released against L. microphyllum: a leaf galling mite, Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), and a moth, Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Little is known about [...] Read more.
Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae) is an invasive climbing fern in peninsular Florida. Two classical biological control agents are currently being released against L. microphyllum: a leaf galling mite, Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), and a moth, Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Little is known about how the two species interact in the field; thus we conducted oviposition choice tests to determine the effects of F. perrepae presence on oviposition behavior in N. conspurcatalis. Further, we conducted feeding trials with N. conspurcatalis larvae to establish the effects of gall presence on larval survival and rate of development, and determine whether N. conspurcatalis larvae would directly consume F. perrepae galls. Neomusotima conspurcatalis laid significantly more eggs on mite galled (52.66 ± 6.211) versus ungalled (34.40 ± 5.587) L. microphyllum foliage. Feeding trials revealed higher mortality in N. conspurcatalis larvae raised on galled (60%) versus ungalled (36%) L. microphyllum material. In gall feeding trials, N. conspurcatalis larvae consumed or damaged 13.52% of galls, and the rate of direct gall feeding increased over time as leaf resources were depleted. Our results suggest that, where N. conspurcatalis and F. perrepae co-occur, competitive interactions could be more frequent than previously anticipated; however, we do not expect these antagonistic interactions to affect the establishment of either agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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14 pages, 1621 KiB  
Article
Dispersal in Host–Parasitoid Interactions: Crop Colonization by Pests and Specialist Enemies
by Edward W. Evans
Insects 2018, 9(4), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040134 - 5 Oct 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3385
Abstract
Interactions of insect pests and their natural enemies increasingly are being considered from a metapopulation perspective, with focus on movements of individuals among habitat patches (e.g., individual crop fields). Biological control may be undercut in short-lived crops as natural enemies lag behind the [...] Read more.
Interactions of insect pests and their natural enemies increasingly are being considered from a metapopulation perspective, with focus on movements of individuals among habitat patches (e.g., individual crop fields). Biological control may be undercut in short-lived crops as natural enemies lag behind the pests in colonizing newly created habitat. This hypothesis was tested by assessing parasitism of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) and alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) larvae at varying distances along transects into newly planted fields of small grains and alfalfa in northern Utah. The rate of parasitism of cereal leaf beetles and alfalfa weevils by their host-specific parasitoids (Tetrastichus julis (Eulophidae) and Bathyplectes curculionis (Ichneumonidae), respectively) was determined for earliest maturing first generation host larvae. Rates of parasitism did not vary significantly with increasing distance into a newly planted field (up to 250–700 m in individual experiments) from the nearest source field from which pest and parasitoid adults may have immigrated. These results indicate strong, rapid dispersal of the parasitoids in pursuing their prey into new habitat. Thus, across the fragmented agricultural landscape of northern Utah, neither the cereal leaf beetle nor the alfalfa weevil initially gained substantial spatial refuge from parasitism by more strongly dispersing than their natural enemies into newly created habitat. Additional studies, including those of colonization of newly planted crops by generalist pests and natural enemies, are called for in assessing these results with a broader perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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22 pages, 6179 KiB  
Article
Spotted Wing Drosophila in Sweet Cherry Orchards in Relation to Forest Characteristics, Bycatch, and Resource Availability
by Ernest Ireneusz Hennig and Dominique Mazzi
Insects 2018, 9(3), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030118 - 13 Sep 2018
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4258
Abstract
Forest vegetation is essential for the population development of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Yet, little is known of how the structure of surrounding forest areas influence the abundance of SWD within orchards. In this work, we use data from a field trial [...] Read more.
Forest vegetation is essential for the population development of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Yet, little is known of how the structure of surrounding forest areas influence the abundance of SWD within orchards. In this work, we use data from a field trial at five sites in Switzerland to analyse the relationship between the extent of forest area, its edge density, and its distance from the orchard with the occurrence of SWD in sweet cherry orchards in a Bayesian hierarchical model. Availability of cherries and bycatch were also included in the model to account for effects of resource availability and trap attractiveness, respectively. For all main effects and their interactions, we accounted for potential temporal changes by adding interactions with time. We found that the closer an orchard was to a forest, the more SWD were trapped within the orchard. However, the interaction of forest proximity with forest area caused a disproportionate decrease of SWD catches. Also, the within orchard variables, trap catches of other drosophilid flies and resource availability affected SWD trap catches, but their relation changed in the course of the experiment. The findings imply that reducing SWD occurrence in orchards and other crop fields requires not only the consideration of processes outside and within the host crop field, but also of temporally changing relationships between SWD and other factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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15 pages, 2272 KiB  
Article
Predicting Geographic Distribution of Forensically Significant Blow Flies of Subfamily Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Northern Thailand
by Tunwadee Klong-klaew, Ratchadawan Ngoen-klan, Kittikhun Moophayak, Kom Sukontason, Kim N. Irvine, Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Pradya Somboon, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap, Hiromu Kurahashi and Kabkaew L. Sukontason
Insects 2018, 9(3), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030106 - 21 Aug 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5297
Abstract
Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are carrion-breeding flies that are commonly used as evidence in forensic investigation. An adequate knowledge of ecological and geographical data of blow fly has a direct application in forensic science, as far as estimating time of colonization or corpse [...] Read more.
Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are carrion-breeding flies that are commonly used as evidence in forensic investigation. An adequate knowledge of ecological and geographical data of blow fly has a direct application in forensic science, as far as estimating time of colonization or corpse relocation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of four species of Chrysomyinae (Chrysomya pinguis, Chrysomya chani, Chrysomya villeneuvi, and Ceylonomyia nigripes) across six land use types in central Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Eighteen study sites were selected for sampling across three districts of Chiang Mai province (Mueang Chiang Mai, Mae Rim, and Hang Dong). Adult flies were collected every two weeks using a funnel trap baited with 1-day tainted beef offal. The predicted geographic distributions of forensically important blow fly species were modeled using the computer program ArcGIS, based on selected climatic variables (temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity) recorded at study sites. During the study period, 1298 adult flies were collected, with peak fly occurrence during summer (April–May). Seasonal fluctuation patterns varied depending on fly species. Climatic factors displayed diverse impact on associated fly populations. Identified species were restricted mainly to mixed deciduous forests (MDF) especially in the mountainous area. None of these flies were trapped in an urban area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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Review

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22 pages, 919 KiB  
Review
Aquatic versus Terrestrial Insects: Real or Presumed Differences in Population Dynamics?
by Jill Lancaster and Barbara J. Downes
Insects 2018, 9(4), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040157 - 1 Nov 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 8574
Abstract
The study of insect populations is dominated by research on terrestrial insects. Are aquatic insect populations different or are they just presumed to be different? We explore the evidence across several topics. (1) Populations of terrestrial herbivorous insects are constrained most often by [...] Read more.
The study of insect populations is dominated by research on terrestrial insects. Are aquatic insect populations different or are they just presumed to be different? We explore the evidence across several topics. (1) Populations of terrestrial herbivorous insects are constrained most often by enemies, whereas aquatic herbivorous insects are constrained more by food supplies, a real difference related to the different plants that dominate in each ecosystem. (2) Population outbreaks are presumed not to occur in aquatic insects. We report three examples of cyclical patterns; there may be more. (3) Aquatic insects, like terrestrial insects, show strong oviposition site selection even though they oviposit on surfaces that are not necessarily food for their larvae. A novel outcome is that density of oviposition habitat can determine larval densities. (4) Aquatic habitats are often largely 1-dimensional shapes and this is presumed to influence dispersal. In rivers, drift by insects is presumed to create downstream dispersal that has to be countered by upstream flight by adults. This idea has persisted for decades but supporting evidence is scarce. Few researchers are currently working on the dynamics of aquatic insect populations; there is scope for many more studies and potentially enlightening contrasts with terrestrial insects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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Other

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12 pages, 1061 KiB  
Perspective
An Alternative Perspective for the Theory of Biological Control
by Nicholas J. Mills
Insects 2018, 9(4), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040131 - 2 Oct 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4575
Abstract
Importation biological control represents the planned introduction of a specialist natural enemy from the region of origin of an invasive pest or weed. For this study, the author considered why attempts to develop a predictive theory for biological control have been misguided and [...] Read more.
Importation biological control represents the planned introduction of a specialist natural enemy from the region of origin of an invasive pest or weed. For this study, the author considered why attempts to develop a predictive theory for biological control have been misguided and what future directions might be more promising and effective. Despite considerable interest in the theory of consumer–resource population dynamics, such theory has contributed little to improvements in the success of biological control due to a focus on persistence and equilibrium dynamics rather than establishment and impact. A broader consideration of invasion biology in addition to population ecology offers new opportunities for a more inclusive theory of biological control that incorporates the demographic and genetic processes that more specifically address the establishment and impact of introduced natural enemies. The importance of propagule size and genetic variance for successful establishment, and of contributions to host population growth, relative population growth rates, interaction strength, and coevolution for suppression of host abundance are discussed as promising future directions for a theory of biological control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Population Dynamics: Theory & Practice)
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