Trophic interactions are often studied within habitat patches, but among-patch dispersal of individuals may influence local patch dynamics. Metacommunity concepts incorporate the effects of dispersal on local and community dynamics. There are few experimental tests of metacommunity theory using insects compared to those conducted in microbial microcosms. Using connected experimental mesocosms, ...

t g g n t a i c a We describe the development of a monoclonal antiody (MAb) to the hemolymph of fifth-instar larvae of he shield beetle, Cassida rubiginosa Muell. (Coleopera, Chrysomelidae), to be used as a tool for predator ut analysis. The MAb reacts with all life stages of C. ubiginosa, shows no cross-reactions outside the geus Cassida (31 herbivorous insect species and 12 otential predators...

We used multiple regression modeling to investigate the numerical response by the predatory insectsHippodamia convergensGuérin-Méneville,H. parenthesis (Say), and C. septempunctataL. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and Nabis americoferus Carayon (Hemiptera: Nabidae) to aphids during 5 yr in three geographically separated alfalfa Þelds in eas...

during a two-year (2004-2005) survey of alfalfa aphids and their natural enemies in isfahan, a total of four aphid species and 58 species of their natural enemies comprised of 45 predatory species, 11 parasitoid species and two species of parasitic mites were collected and identified. moreover, five hyperparasitoid species were collected. on each sampling date, six 20-sweep samples were taken u...