A model relating numbers of dispersing insects to distance and time.

Published online
01 Jan 1978
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2402560

Author(s)
Freeman, G. H.

Publication language
English

Abstract

A simple model is proposed relating numbers of dispersing insects to distance from a release point and time. One form of the model, which is explained, fits several sets of data from Delia brassicae (Wied.) and Drosophila pseudoobscura Frol., whereas another form appears to fit some data for Anopheles gambiae Giles and Glossina morsitans Westw. For another set of experiments with Delia brassicae with variable trap spacing, a further modification, which is explained, fits data from traps at release points with different trap spacings. The results suggest that, although dispersing insects tend to move away from one another, this is partly countered by a considerable random element in this movement.

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