Larval Competition in Drosophila melanogaster: The Model of the Bands of Density

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Abstract
We propose a descriptive model for larval competition processes based on the study of 20 different strains of Drosophila melanogaster over a range of densities. Two density bands are identified. At lower densities, the prevailing process is competition for limited food resources; the relevant parameters are the number, D, of biological space units (BSU) and the viability, v, which are distinctive of the particular genetic strain. The second density band occurs above the optimal density and requires a new parameter, b, which is density-dependent and may reflect indirect interference. It is shown theoretically that at the point of optimal density, the number of survivors is always 0.63 D.