Description
Much of our understanding of insect predator-prey dynamics has been a result of studies of insect parasitoids, rather than true predators. This book explores the dynamics of ladybird beetles, true predators of aphids and coccids, highlighting similarities and differences between these and parasitoids. The implications of these findings for the identification of successful biological control agents is examined, making this an important resource for all those interested in pest management, insect population biology or entomology.
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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 model that, combined with an analysis of the literature, highlights the specific attributes of potentially successful biocontrol agents for all those interested in predator-prey dynamics.
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