Trivial movements and redistribution of polyphagous insect herbivores in heterogeneous vegetation

The aim of this thesis was to study the interplay between movement patterns of polyphagous insect herbivores and vegetation heterogeneity within agricultural fields. I examined if and how 1) host plant species, 2) host plant quality, 3) vegetation architecture, and 4) trap crop physical design influence movement patterns of individuals and spatial distribution of populations.

Foragers may aggregate in profitable areas by tactic movement, or by area-restricted search, i.e. by moving randomly but slowing down movement and increasing rate of turning after encountering a profitable patch. Movement patterns of polyphagous herbivores have a high potential for influencing their distribution among hosts differing in quality. However, information on the role random vs. non-random components in their movement behavior is scarce. The results of this thesis show that both host plant species and within species differences in host plant quality affect movement behavior of a polyphagous herbivore, the European tarnished plant bug nymphs. The host plant induced movement patterns also explained the distribution of nymphs in heterogeneous vegetation. Because redistribution was very fast, it appears that no tactic behavior is needed for the nymphs to locate preferred hosts in heterogeneous vegetation composed of small patches. Instead the nymphs may successfully locate superior hosts merely by random movement coupled with sensitivity to local host quality.

The physical structure of environment influences redistribution of populations at several spatial scales. At small scale the architecture of vegetation may influence redistribution of insects that move on the plant surface. At large scale e.g. trap crop physical design may affect redistribution of pests. In this thesis I derive a model for predicting the impact of vegetation architecture on the rate of displacement by insects moving on the plant surface. I also present and explore models of the interplay between pest movement and trap crop physical design. The trap crop models suggest that considerable reduction in pest density may be achieved using small trap crop cover with trap crops that the pest distinctly prefers over the crop. It supports also the idea that trap crop placement may have a dramatic impact on the efficiency of the trap crops.