Patterns in food-web structure have frequently been examined static food webs, but few studies attempted to delineate patterns that materialize webs under nonequilibrium conditions. Here, using one of nature's classical systems as the database, we test major assumptions recent advances theory. We show a complex web interactions between insect herbivores and their natural enemies displays significant architectural flexibility over large fluctuation abundance herbivore, spruce budworm...

Biological invasions are one of the leading causes global environmental change and their impacts can affect biodiversity, ecosystem services, human health economy. Yet, understanding on invasive alien species is still limited mostly related to outbreaks losses in agricultural yield, followed by ecological natural systems. Notably, economic biological have rarely been quantified. Brazil has at least 1214 known from which 460 recognized as species. Still, there no comprehensive estimates cost...

Abstract Chrysomya albiceps , the larvae of which are facultative predators other dipteran species, has been introduced to Americas over recent years along with Old World species blowflies, including megacephala putoria and rufifacies . An apparent correlate this biological invasion a sudden decline in population numbers Cochliomyia macellaria native Americas. In study, we investigated predation rates on third instar C. by no‐choice, two‐choice three‐choice situations. Most attacks occurred...

The Brazilian Cerrado is one of the most endangered biomes in world. We evaluated sustainability leaf harvest important tree species, Stryphnodendron adstringens. bark this used as a source medicinal tannin. Harvesting bark, however, often kills tree. In manipulative field experiment, we tested hypothesis that harvesting leaves, which might serve an alternative tannin, would be less detrimental for survival, growth, reproduction, and defense than bark. two-way crossed experimental design,...

In this study we investigated predation rates on third instar larvae of Chrysomya putoria and C. megacephala by albiceps in a two-choice situation. The highest rate occurred result is compared to previous experiments, which macellaria were present. Our results suggest that, when absent attack more than larvae. Prey choice decisions its implications for introduced native blowflies are discussed.

In this paper, we analyzed the occurrence of motifs (modules) in empirical food-webs from different ecosystem types. Differently previous studies, our analysis did not relied on randomized networks with specific a priori assumptions, which has been demonstrated to produce inconsistent patterns. We aimed evaluate interplay between population dynamics and food-web topology, its consequences module occurrences complex food-webs. evaluated 13 arrangements three-species modules 199 four-species...

In this study we investigated the larval dispersal associated with predation in experimental populations of Chrysomya albiceps and Cochliomyia macellaria. Frequency distribution sampling units (G test) substrate was used to evaluate variation dispersal. An acrylic channel (1 x 0.1 0.2 m) covered wood shavings observe prior pupation. The graduated at 0.05 m intervals, each representing a unit; hence, 20 were set up. A Petri dish containing third instar larvae single double species deposited...

An Integrated Pest Management is formulated as a threshold policy. It shown that when this strategy applied to food web consisting of generalist, specialist predators and endemic pest prey, the dynamics can be stable useful from control point view, despite dynamical complexities inherent application biocontrol only. In addition, pesticide toxicity depends rather on species intrinsic parameters than chemical agent concentration.

Abstract: One way to understand the behavioural patterns exhibited by a predator in response prey density is evaluate its functional response. Such evaluation yields information about basic mechanisms of prey–predator dynamics, and an essential component models. In this paper we analysed experimentally handling time spent Chrysomya albiceps on different species larval instars blowflies. The type II was observed when second instar larvae megacephala macellaria were consumed. significantly...

During its larval stage, Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a facultative predator on other blowflies. In this study, we evaluated the predation by third instar larvae of C. first, second and megacephala Cochliomyia macellaria in no-choice experiments order to compare vulnerability instars predation. With first prey highest rate was megacephala. For prey, macellaria. there complete within 90 min, whereas only 55% were eaten min. most (80%) occurred 35% changes predatory behavior...

Pair-wise competition produces asymmetric consequences for the interacting species, resulting in reduction of species fitness at individual scale; however, little is known effects on allometric patterns insects. In this study, we explored how competition, by means pod infestation, affects development female and male individuals co-occurring bruchine beetles Merobruchus terani Stator maculatopygus. We found differences between M. S. maculatopygus all morphometric traits, but no significant...

Abstract Nine species of the gall-associated doryctine genus Allorhogas Gahan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are described from Brazil ( A. clidemiae Martínez and Zaldívar-Riverón new , granivorus mineiro vulgaris ) Costa Rica brevithorax pallidus psychotria punctatus tico ). We provide host plant records for species, including information that reveals at least three them feed on seeds. had previously been confirmed to represent a natural enemy invasive weed Miconia calvescens de Candolle...

Social wasps play important ecological roles, such as the natural biological control of other arthropods well major components flower-visiting insect guild. Despite many studies focusing on survey these organisms in Brazil, information community structure polistines anthropized environmets is still rare. The goals present study were: i) to social wasp fauna an area transition Cerrado and Atlantic Forest; ii) investigate efficiency two sampling methods, namely active search for use attractive...

Abstract Most studies regarding ant–aphid interactions focus only on the direct effects of ants tended aphids and aphidophagous predators, or indirect host plant. Studies evaluating aphid‐tending more than one trophic level are rare evaluate presence absence such effects. Here we assessed effect sizes in a tri‐trophic system (common bean plants, lacewing larvae). We tested if has positive aphid abundance host‐plant production negative predator abundance. also hypothesized that affect...