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About this book
Much of our understanding about insect predator-prey dynamics has been due to studies on insect parasitoids. But do true predators such as ladybird beetles really operate in a similar way and how does this affect their use in biological control? The extensive literature on ladybirds as biocontrol agents shows that their size and rate of development is very dependent on the nature of their prey. This volume explores basic ladybird biology, their association with their prey and its effect on development rate and body size.
Contents
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Basic biology and structure; 3. Body size; 4. Slow-fast continuum in life history parameters; 5. Foraging behaviour; 6. Cannibalism; 7. Theory of predator-prey interactions; 8. Intraguild predation; 9. Biological control; 10. Epilogue; 11. References; Taxonomic index; Subject index.
Customer Reviews
By: AFG Dixon
257 pages, 110 figs, 14 tabs
'Rich in biological detail within a clearly described conceptual framework, this work is both readable and authoritative.' S. G. Compton, Biologist '... a really interesting and worthwhile book, which can be recommended to anyone who is concerned with population dynamics, biological control or general insect ecology.' Mark Young, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society