The Natural Control of Insect Populations

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Abstract
Animals are capable of multiplying their numbers by some form of reproduction; but they are hindered by natural means from multiplying to the point of committing collective suicide by exhausting the resources of this planet. Animals are also subject to having their numbers decreased; but, likewise, their decrease to extinction is hindered by natural means. The question of these natural means of limiting increase and decrease of numbers is a fundamental problem of Ecology: the problem of the mechanism of natural control of populations. The solution of this problem has, of course, great practical interest because man suffers from some animals being too few (beneficial species) and others too numerous (pests).