The Influence of Habitat Type on the Population Dynamics of Gastrophysa viridula Degeer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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Abstract
G. viridula Degeer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an oligophagous herbivore whose main host plant is broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.). The population dynamics of the insect were studied in detail on 4 habitats; 1 was a monoculture and 3 had different types of background vegetation. An inverse relationship was found between the diversity and maturity of the background vegetation and the survival of the beetle populations.