Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2010
Introduction
An ecological theory can be considered as a general explanation for an ecological phenomenon or pattern of observed ecological tendencies. A well-established ecological theory is usually one constructed upon a foundation of underlying ecological principles and verified hypotheses and may eventually take on the mantle of an ecological law (Lawton, 1999). Because ecology is broad in scope, numerous ecological theories have been generated (Lawton, 1999).
One suite of ecological theory of particular relevance to this chapter on arthropod pest behavior and integrated pest management (IPM) is the suite associated with population dynamics, or the rise and fall of populations over time and space. As interpreted by Lawton (1992), each species or even each population of a species may have its own peculiar dynamics, but essentially this plethora of dynamics can be reduced to variations upon a few common themes. Two key components represented in all such themes are the intrinsic rate of natural increase of the organism and its environment. With exceptions, most arthropod pests, especially pests of agricultural crops, tend to have above-average rates of natural increase (Southwood, 1977; Kennedy and Storer, 2000). Arthropod pests having high intrinsic rates of natural increase from one generation to the next and having several generations per year may become too numerous towards the end of a season for effective management by any single approach, including behavioral manipulation.
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