POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE CEREAL LEAF BEETLE, OULEMA MELANOPUS (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE): A MODEL FOR AGE SPECIFIC MORTALITY

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Abstract
The cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.), has rapidly increased its numbers and range since it was discovered in Michigan in 1962. We have shown in this report that intraspecific density-dependent mortality is the major constraint on survivorship. We have attempted to quantify survival within a generation from the egg stage to the adult.Larval mortality varies among populations. Density-dependent mortality, caused by intraspecific competition, accounts for most of the variation of within-generation survival of the cereal leaf beetle in wheat and oats. Mortality in the first instar on oats and the fourth instar on wheat and oats is a linear function of the logarithm of total egg density. Establishment of the first instar on oats appears to become more difficult as density increases because leaf surface disturbance and interference with larger larva increases. Competition for food accounts for the increase in mortality of the fourth instar in both wheat and oats as density increases. Egg survival, survival of the first instar on wheat and in the second, third, and pupal stage in both crops are constants with respect to density. These constants can be expected to change with respect to other environmental parameters however, e.g. host variety, planting date, rainfall, etc.