Ecological interactions between insect herbivores and their host plant in a weed biocontrol system

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dc.contributor.authorCrowe, Michael
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorCartar, Ralph
dc.contributor.supervisorBourchier, Rob
dc.date.accessioned2008-04-04T16:20:24Z
dc.date.available2008-04-04T16:20:24Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.descriptionvii, 97 leaves ; 29 cmen
dc.description.abstractThe role of interspecific competition as a regulating force in natural populations has been controversial, especially for phytophagous insect communities. A series of manipulative experiments using enclosure cages were conducted to evaluate the role of interspecific competition between a weevil and a fly, two seed feeding agents released against spotted knapweed in North America. The fly, an inferior biological control agent, was the superior competitor. Consequences of the antagonistic interaction included reduced seed destruction compared to if just the weevil was released on its own. The role of plant phenology on insect herbivore density was also assessed. The implications of phenologyinduced variation in insect density were evaluated with respect to competition between the fly and the weevil and were found to be important. Hypotheses of four plantmediated mechanisms of interspecific competition were also tested. Results support resource preemption as a competitive mechanism.en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/637
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2003en
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Arts and Scienceen
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)en
dc.subjectInsects as biological pest control agents -- Researchen
dc.subjectNonmusic cdsen
dc.subjectDissertations, Academicen
dc.subjectCompetition (Biology)en
dc.subjectBeetlesen
dc.subjectFliesen
dc.subjectSpotted knapweed -- Biological control -- Researchen
dc.titleEcological interactions between insect herbivores and their host plant in a weed biocontrol systemen
dc.typeThesisen
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