How Quality of Host Plant Affects a Predator-Prey Interaction in Biological Control

Ecology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 1206-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra J. Walde
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Prey Interaction

scholarly journals The mechanics of predator-prey interactions: first principles of physics predict predator-prey size ratios

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien M. J. Portalier ◽  
Gregor F. Fussmann ◽  
Michel Loreau ◽  
Mehdi Cherif
Keyword(s):  
Food Webs ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
List Type ◽  
Model Accuracy ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Prey Interaction ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Net Energy Gain

AbstractRobust predictions of predator-prey interactions are fundamental for the understanding of food webs, their structure, dynamics, resistance to species loss and invasions and role in ecosystem functioning. Most current food web models are empirically based. Thus, they are sensitive to the quality of the data, and ineffective in predicting non-described and disturbed food webs. There is a need for mechanistic models that predict the occurrence of a predator-prey interaction based on the traits of organisms and the properties of their environment.Here, we present such a model that focuses on the predation act itself. We built a Newtonian, mechanical model for the processes of searching, capture and handling of a prey item by a predator. Associated with general metabolic laws, we predict the net energy gain from predation for pairs of predator and prey species depending on their body sizes.Predicted interactions match well with data from the most extensive predator-prey database, and overall model accuracy is greater than the niche model.Our model shows that it is possible to accurately predict the structure of food webs using only a few ecomechanical traits. It underlines the importance of physical constraints in structuring food webs.

scholarly journals Grape variety affects larval performance and also female reproductive performance of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Moreau ◽  
B. Benrey ◽  
D. Thiéry
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Lobesia Botrana ◽  
Larval Performance ◽  
European Grapevine Moth ◽  
Wild Grape ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Fitness Index ◽  
Grapevine Moth

AbstractFor insect herbivores, the quality of the larval host plant is a key determinant of fitness. Therefore, insect populations are supposed to be positively correlated with the nutritional quality of their host plant. This study aimed to determine if and how different varieties of grapes (including the wild grape Lambrusque) affect both larval and adult performance of the polyphagous European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller). Significant differences were found in larval development time, but not in pupal mass, adult emergence rate, or sex ratio. Although the fecundity of females is not different among varieties, females fed on some varieties produced eggs of different sizes which are correlated to their fertility. Thus, females adapt resource allocation to eggs depending on their diet as larvae. Using a fitness index, the average reproductive output was found to be highest for females reared on cv. Chardonnay. Females reared on wild grape produced a fitness index identical to the cultivated grapes. However, Lambrusque and Gewurztraminer separate themselves from the cultivated varieties according to our discriminant analyses. It is emphasized, through this study, that cultivars fed on by larvae should be considered in the population dynamics of L. botrana and that egg number is insufficient to determine host plant quality.

scholarly journals Do we have enough information to apply the ecosystem approach to management of deep-sea fisheries? An example from the West of Scotland

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna J. Heymans ◽  
Kerry L. Howell ◽  
Morag Ayers ◽  
Michael T. Burrows ◽  
John D. M. Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
The West ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Relative Paucity ◽  
Water Ecosystem ◽  
Fisheries Interactions

Abstract Heymans, J. J., Howell, K. L., Ayers, M., Burrows, M. T., Gordon, J. D. M., Jones, E. G., and Neat, F. 2011. Do we have enough information to apply the ecosystem approach to management of deep-sea fisheries? An example from the West of Scotland. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 265–280. There is currently a global call for more use of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM), and ecosystem models such as Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) are being used to provide a holistic view of ecosystem–fisheries interactions. Although these can be useful for an EAFM, the relative paucity of data available for deep-sea ecosystems raises concerns whether we can effectively apply an EAFM to the deep sea. The deep-sea ecosystem off the west coast of Scotland has been studied for longer and in more detail than most. This study assimilates the significant published and unpublished information available on this ecosystem into an EwE model. The results suggest that there are sufficient data available to construct an ecosystem model, but the quality of the data varies and serious potential sources of error are present in biomass and discard estimates. The assumptions needed to produce a model are varied and must be considered when interpreting the outputs of the model. Ecosystem modelling provides a unique view of the deep-water ecosystem and facilitates hypothesis development concerning predator–prey and inter-fishery interactions. Sharks are used to illustrate the benefits of using an ecosystem model to describe changes in their biomass and their prey species. The results show that both fishing for sharks and fishing for their prey affect the biomass of sharks.

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