Ladybird beetles are typical predators that feed on a wide range of insect prey, and have been used extensively in the biocontrol of insect pests. This volume explores basic ladybird biology, in particular, their close association with prey and its effect on their rate of development and body size. The author uses optimal foraging theory, field observations, and laboratory experiments to illustrate how ladybird larvae maximize their rate of energy intake, and ladybird adults their fitness. The interdependence of these life history parameters is then used to develop a simple predator-prey...

Ladybird beetles are typical predators that feed on a wide range of insect prey, and have been used extensively in the biocontrol of insect pests. This volume explores basic ladybird biology, in particular, their close association with prey and its effect on their rate of development and body size. The author uses optimal foraging theory, field observations, and laboratory experiments to illustrate how ladybird larvae maximize their rate of energy intake, and ladybird adults their fitness. The interdependence of these life history parameters is then used to develop a simple predator-prey...

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.

Aphids are the most important of the sap sucking insects, they are also major pests of agriculture, horticulture and forestry. This book covers the evolution of aphids and their development in relation to specific plants. Optimization is used to explain how modes of feeding and reproduction have affected their size and population structure and led to a very close and specific association with their host plants.
Increasing knowledge of aphids has revealed that they are ideal organisms to use when studying many topical ecological issues. They are particularly important for testing...

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.