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What causes generation cycles in populations of stored-product moths?

  1. C. J. Briggs1,2,
  2. S. M. Sait3,
  3. M. Begon3,
  4. D. J. Thompson3,
  5. H. C. J. Godfray1

Article first published online: 25 DEC 2001

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2656.2000.00398.x

Issue

Journal of Animal Ecology

Journal of Animal Ecology

Volume 69, Issue 2, pages 352–366, March 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Briggs, C. J., Sait, S. M., Begon, M., Thompson, D. J. and Godfray, H. C. J. (2000), What causes generation cycles in populations of stored-product moths?. Journal of Animal Ecology, 69: 352–366. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2656.2000.00398.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    NERC Centre for Population Biology, Department of Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK;

  2. 2

    Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94270-3140, USA; and

  3. 3

    Population Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK

* H.C.J. Godfray, NERC Centre for Population Biology, Department of Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK. Tel: 020 75942354. Fax: 01344 873173. E-mail: c.godfray@ic.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 DEC 2001
  2. Article first published online: 25 DEC 2001

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Keywords:

  • age structure;
  • cycles;
  • models;
  • population dynamics;
  • Plodia;
  • stored-product insects.

Summary

1. Populations of stored-products moths such as the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) frequently show generation cycles, fluctuations with a period of approximately one generation.

2. Three age-structured models of stored-product moth dynamics were investigated to see which best accounted for the observed period and pattern of Plodia dynamics.

3. A model of Gurney, Nisbet & Lawton (1983) was modified to match Plodia biology. The model assumes uniform competition amongst larvae. It predicted generation cycles, but of too long a period and with the wrong larval cohort structure.

4. The introduction of asymmetric competition (young larvae more sensitive to resource depletion but exerting weaker competitive effects) could produce generation cycles but for parameters appropriate to Plodia predicted cycles with a period of half a generation.

5. Introducing egg cannibalism to the asymmetric competition model led to the prediction of generation cycles of the right period and cohort structure for Plodia parameters.

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