Predation risk for insects living in different strata: A globally distributed experiment with standardized live prey

Abstract

With insect populations declining, it is important to understand predation on different types of insects. This project is a global macro-ecological study with 128 locations world-wide in different habitats. It will contribute to our understanding of factors influencing insect decline and situate studies of insect populations into natural food webs. We will test three hypotheses: (1) Root-feeding insects experience more predation than leaf feeding insects. (2) Predation on root and leaf feeding insects will decline with latitude, but especially for leaf feeding species. (3) Predation by vertebrate and invertebrate predators will decline with increasing latitude. We will conduct an experiment at Fairfield Osborn Preserve using methods developed by Finnish researchers and provided to us to implement the experimental protocol in the same way at every location across the globe. Our task is to test the hypotheses in a temperate forested area.

Results

Key Terms: insect populations, declining, root-feeding, leaf-feeding, vertebrate, invertebrate, predators, ecological niches, Tenebrio molitor, beetle larvae, Fairfield Osborn Preserve, Woodland, Chaparral, Forest Edge