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Outbreak suppression by predators depends on spatial distribution of prey

Author

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  • Bommarco, Riccardo
  • Firle, Sascha O.
  • Ekbom, Barbara

Abstract

The capacity of a predator population to suppress a prey population that varies in abundance and spatial distribution is explored in a lattice simulation model. The model is based on empirically derived parameters for particular species. Within season predation by Pterostichus cupreus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of varying densities and distributions of the prey Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) in spring cereals was simulated. From these spatially explicit simulations prey population suppression was found to be largely dependent on the spatial distribution of the prey. A possible mechanism was that high degrees of prey aggregation provided refuge for the prey that, when aggregated, escaped detection by P. cupreus. In contrast, P. cupreus was found to efficiently suppress incipient outbreaks for evenly distributed prey populations, even at high prey densities. A higher predator density compensated for the lowered control ability of the predators for highly aggregated prey populations and hastened the decline of the prey population.

Suggested Citation

  • Bommarco, Riccardo & Firle, Sascha O. & Ekbom, Barbara, 2007. "Outbreak suppression by predators depends on spatial distribution of prey," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 201(2), pages 163-170.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:201:y:2007:i:2:p:163-170
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.09.012
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    Cited by:

    1. de Souza, A.A. & Martins, S.G.F. & Zacarias, M.S., 2009. "Computer simulation applied to the biological control of the insect Aphis gossypii for the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(6), pages 756-763.
    2. Piñol, Josep & Espadaler, Xavier & Pérez, Nicolás & Beven, Keith, 2009. "Testing a new model of aphid abundance with sedentary and non-sedentary predators," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(19), pages 2469-2480.
    3. Jian, Fuji & Jayas, Digvir S. & White, Noel D.G. & Smith, E.A., 2008. "Numerical analysis and parameter estimation technique for insect population redistribution models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 211(1), pages 47-56.
    4. Zhang, Wei & Swinton, Scott M., 2009. "Incorporating natural enemies in an economic threshold for dynamically optimal pest management," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(9), pages 1315-1324.
    5. Ramanantoanina, A. & Hui, C. & Ouhinou, A., 2011. "Effects of density-dependent dispersal behaviours on the speed and spatial patterns of range expansion in predator–prey metapopulations," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(19), pages 3524-3530.
    6. Su, Min & Hui, Cang & Zhang, Yanyu & Li, Zizhen, 2009. "How does the spatial structure of habitat loss affect the eco-epidemic dynamics?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(1), pages 51-59.

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