Are ecological theories useful elements in biological control programs? Practical problems with using life tables and predation theory

摘要

Life tables provide the most comprehensive data on the growth, stage differentiation, survival and fecundity of pest and natural enemy populations (Chi & Liu, 1985; Chi, 1988; Yu et al., 2005; Chi & Su, 2006). Predation theory describes the dynamics of predator/prey and parasitoid/host systems. It is, therefore, reasonable to believe that life tables and predation theories should both be considered as important bases for ecologically sound biological control programs and mass rearing of natural enemies (Chi & Getz, 1988). In practice, however, life tables and predation theories are seldom used. Why not? What are the problems or difficulties encountered when using these important tools? For timing and quantitative analysis in biological control programs, a predation model based on the age-stage, two-sex life tables (Chi & Liu, 1985; Chi 1988; Chi & Yang, 2003) of both predator/parasitoid and prey/host may be used. The problems and difficulties in application of ecological theories in biological control are discussed below.