上海地区草坪害虫的发生为害初步调查

据作者初步调查 ,2种草坪害虫 :稻切叶野螟Psaralicarsisalis (Walker)和灰翅夜蛾Spodopteramauritia (Boisduval)在上海均以幼虫在土下越冬 ,1年发生 5代 ,后期存在世代重叠现象。灰翅夜蛾虫口密度一直到 7月份都较低 ,8月份虫口密度上升很快 ,所以在上海地区第 3 ,4代幼虫为害最严重 ;稻切叶野螟的幼虫发生期比灰翅夜蛾迟 1 0d左右 ,以 9～ 1 0月份虫口密度最高。在矮生百幕达草坪中稻切叶野螟虫口密度明显高于灰翅夜蛾 ;而在高羊茅、黑麦草等草坪中灰翅夜蛾的虫口密度则远远高于稻切叶野螟。     

三种阔叶草坪草对斜纹夜蛾生长发育及营养利用的作用

为了探讨斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura对草坪的为害,提供综合治理该虫的理论依据,室内利用白三叶草Trifolium repens、红三叶草T. pratense和马蹄金Dichondra repens 3种阔叶草坪草,分别饲喂斜纹夜蛾幼虫;应用编制实验种群生命表的方法,分析斜纹夜蛾种群生长发育的趋势;同时研究该幼虫对3种草坪草的趋性及营养利用。结果表明：斜纹夜蛾幼虫的趋性表现为白三叶草＞红三叶草＞马蹄金。该虫在3种草坪草上都能够完成生活史;2种三叶草饲喂的该虫幼虫存活率、化蛹率、成蛾率显著高于马蹄金,幼虫期和蛹期则显著短于马蹄金;3种草坪草饲喂的该虫产卵期和平均产卵量相互之间差异不显著,而马蹄金饲喂的产卵前期和雌成虫寿命则显著短于2种三叶草。3种草坪草饲喂的该虫净生长率（Ro）、世代平均周期（T）、内禀生长率（r_m）、周限生长率（λ）、种群加倍时间（DT）及种群增长参数（I）都有差异,其中2种三叶草的各种群增长参数较接近。对5龄幼虫取食3种阔叶草坪草的营养指标测定结果显示：取食马蹄金的相对生长率显著高于取食红三叶草的;取食马蹄金的相对取食量和近似消化率显著高于取食三叶草的;取食马蹄金的食物利用率和食物转化率显著低于取食三叶草的;2种三叶草间无显著差异。综合分析认为,斜纹夜蛾最喜食三叶草,最容易在三叶草草坪上猖獗为害。     

云南莱氏野村菌田间自然发生流行动态研究

为了弄清楚莱氏野村菌田间自然发生流行规律,本研究于2012-2014年对云南省昆明市晋宁区花椰菜上莱氏野村菌的发生动态进行了调查研究,发现莱氏野村菌能感染银纹夜蛾Argyrogramma agnata和甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua幼虫,二者的田间被感染症状相似。在昆明市晋宁区花椰菜田间,莱氏野村菌于每年7-10月份在银纹夜蛾和甜菜夜蛾幼虫种群中发生流行,其中9月份为发生流行高峰期,而银纹夜蛾幼虫的田间自然感染率高于甜菜夜蛾。2012-2014年7月、8月、9月、10月银纹夜蛾的平均感染率分别为34. 38%、62. 53%、78. 49%和33. 67%,甜菜夜蛾的平均感染率分别为8. 39%、8. 65%、24. 49%和3. 47%。该菌对同种害虫不同龄期幼虫的感染率不同,其中银纹夜蛾1-3龄幼虫的感染率高于4-5龄;而甜菜夜蛾4-5龄幼虫的感染率高于1-3龄。该研究将为莱氏野村菌开发利用及银纹夜蛾和甜菜夜蛾的生物防治研究提供依据。     

飞机草浸提液对斜纹夜蛾生长发育及种群参数的影响

[目的]明确飞机草浸提液对斜纹夜蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响。[方法]在实验室内利用不同浓度的飞机草水浸提液处理香蕉叶后喂养斜纹夜蛾幼虫,并观察记录斜纹夜蛾的生长发育情况。[结果]随着飞机草浸提液浓度的升高,斜纹夜蛾幼虫和蛹的发育历期逐渐延长,蛹重逐渐降低;母液处理下的幼虫和蛹发育历期最长,分别比对照处理延长了7.92和2.88 d,母液处理下的蛹重最轻,较对照降低了25.4%;飞机草浸提液处理降低了斜纹夜蛾低龄幼虫的存活率,对高龄幼虫和蛹的存活率影响不显著。随着飞机草浸提液浓度的升高,斜纹夜蛾种群净增值率R₀、内禀增长率r_m和周限增长率λ均逐渐降低,种群平均世代周期T和种群加倍时间t逐渐延长。[结论]飞机草对斜纹夜蛾具有一定的生防潜力,可应用于斜纹夜蛾的生物源农药开发研究。     

二点委夜蛾卵巢发育分级及在预测预报中的应用

对室内饲养的二点委夜蛾Athelis lepigone(Moschler)雌成虫分时段进行解剖,观察其卵巢的结构及发育进程。结果显示二点委夜蛾具有1对卵巢,各由4个卵巢小管组成。发育进程可分为5个阶段:透明期、卵黄沉积期、成熟待产期、产卵盛期和产卵末期。河北省石家庄地区2011年7月下旬至8月上旬田间卵巢发育的监测结果显示,Ⅰ级卵巢在整个发生期所占比例较高,Ⅳ级卵巢所占比例较低,推测其下一代幼虫的发生量将较低,并与田间调查结果吻合,因此卵巢解剖分级法可以用于二点委夜蛾的预测预报工作。     

四种昆虫饵料对穴蚁蛉幼虫生长发育及消化利用的影响

选择4种可规模化饲养的昆虫——米蛾Corcyra cephalonica、家蝇Musca domestica、斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura、甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigu幼虫来饲养穴蚁蛉Myrmeleon sagax(Walker)幼虫(俗称蚁狮),研究这4种饵料对蚁狮生长发育及消化利用的影响。结果显示,用家蝇幼虫饲养的蚁狮,其体重增长、相对生长率、化蛹率、蛹重均显著高于用斜纹夜蛾和甜菜夜蛾幼虫饲养的蚁狮,而幼虫历期则比斜纹夜蛾和甜菜夜蛾幼虫饲养的短;用米蛾幼虫饲养,虽然蚁狮体重增长、化蛹率和蛹重与用家蝇幼虫饲养的差异不显著,但其相对生长率却显著低于用家蝇幼虫饲养的蚁狮,幼虫历期也比用家蝇幼虫饲养的明显延长。同时食物消化利用的结果显示,用4种饵料饲养蚁狮,它们的近似消化率差异不显著,但食物利用率和食物转化率均以家蝇幼虫饲养的蚁狮最高。经分析比较,在4种饵料昆虫中,以用家蝇幼虫每4d喂蚁狮1次的饲养效果最佳。     

草地贪夜蛾对5种寄主植物和6种杂草的取食选择性和适应性

为明确草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith对不同寄主植物和主要杂草的取食选择及适应性,以玉米Zea mays、甘蔗Saccharum officinarum、花生Arachis hypogaea、大豆Glycine max、香蕉Musa nana、稗草Echinochloa crusgalli、马唐Digitaria sanguinalis、牛筋草Eleusine indica、莎草Cyperus rotundus、马齿苋Portulaca oleracea、鹅肠草Malachium aquaticum作为寄主,采用叶碟法测定草地贪夜蛾各龄幼虫对5种寄主植物和6种杂草的取食偏好,并测定了不同虫态的发育历期、单头蛹重、化蛹率以及单雌产卵量等。结果表明,草地贪夜蛾在5种寄主植物和6种杂草上均可完成世代发育。寄主作物中,香蕉处理的草地贪夜蛾成虫前期最长,为29.66 d;甘蔗处理下草地贪夜蛾蛹重和化蛹率分别为250.44 mg和71.67%,显著低于玉米和花生处理的蛹重和化蛹率;草地贪夜蛾取食花生后单雌产卵量最高,为768.93粒,与玉米上产卵量差异不显著,香蕉上最低,为498.76粒;1~2龄幼虫对玉米和香蕉的取食选择率有显著差异,3~6龄幼虫对玉米取食选择率显著高于其他寄主植物。6种杂草中取食莎草的成虫前期最长30.21 d,且单雌产卵量最低526.33粒;取食鹅肠草蛹重最低188.00 mg;取食马齿苋化蛹率最低为72.37%;草地贪夜蛾取食马唐后其蛹重、化蛹率、单雌产卵量最高,与取食其它5种杂草有显著性差异;2~4龄幼虫更偏向取食马唐,与其它5种差异显著。研究结果表明：寄主植物种类对草地贪夜蛾的生长发育有显著影响,其中草地贪夜蛾对玉米和马唐具有较高的取食偏好。     

棉铃虫齿唇姬蜂的生物学特性

研究了湖南长沙地区棉铃虫齿唇姬蜂的生物学特性及田间消长规律,棉铃虫齿唇姬蜂在湖南长沙地区年发生约10代,以7个世代发生在棉田,田间出现3个寄生高峰,分别在5月上旬－6月下旬,8月中旬－9月上旬及9月中旬－10月中旬,寄生率平均在25,1－63,1％,从卵发育到成虫的平均历期变化范围在32℃下13天至11．6℃下75．5天,棉铃虫齿唇姬蜂能寄主棉铃虫,斜纹夜蛾和甜菜夜蛾,但偏爱寄主棉铃虫。该蜂能寄生棉铃虫1－3龄幼虫,很少寄生4－6龄幼虫,喜寄生2－3龄幼虫,每雌可寄生斜夜蛾2龄幼虫5－23头。本建立了发育速率及成蜂寿命与温度关系的回归模型,探讨了越冬问题,比较了长江流域和黄河流域铃虫齿唇姬蜂生物学特性的差异。     

Grading criteria for assessing the ovarian development of Athetis lepigone and its use in forecasting

对室内饲养的二点委夜蛾Athelis lepigone(Moschler)雌成虫分时段进行解剖,观察其卵巢的结构及发育进程.结果显示二点委夜娥具有1对卵巢,各由4个卵巢小管组成.发育进程可分为5个阶段:透明期、卵黄沉积期、成熟待产期、产卵盛期和产卵末期.河北省石家庄地区2011年7月下旬至8月上旬田间卵巢发育的监测结果显示,Ⅰ级卵巢在整个发生期所占比例较高,Ⅳ级卵巢所占比例较低,推测其下一代幼虫的发生量将较低,并与田间调查结果吻合,因此卵巢解剖分级法可以用于二点委夜蛾的预测预报工作.     

大草蛉对草地贪夜蛾捕食潜能研究

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith于2018年底至2019年初入侵我国后,迅速扩散,并在半年内对西南地区的玉米生产造成为害。田间调查和观测研究表明,田间虽然可见该害虫的天敌,但由于天敌种群数量低,无法形成有效控害的模式。为研究大草蛉对草地贪夜蛾的控害潜能,本研究进行了捕食功能反应试验。结果表明,大草蛉成虫对草地贪夜蛾卵以及大草蛉3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾1龄幼虫的捕食效应均能够很好的拟合HollingⅡ功能反应模型。其中,大草蛉成虫对贪夜蛾卵的理论日最大捕食量、瞬时攻击率和处理时间分别为1115.56头、1.004和0.0009 d。大草蛉幼虫对贪夜蛾低龄幼虫的理论日最大捕食量、瞬时攻击率和处理时间分别为358头、1.074和0.003 d。结果表明大草蛉具备对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫进行有效控害的潜力,为应用天敌昆虫防治草地贪夜蛾提供了理论依据。     

Field boundaries of Panicum maximum as a reservoir for predators and a sink for Chilo partellus

Abstract:  The biological-control function of field boundaries of Guinea grass, Panicum maximum Jacq. on the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe was examined as a reservoir for arthropod predators and as a trap plant for the pest. Field border vegetation and predator density were manipulated to determine the effect of the grass border on the abundance of stem borers and their predators in maize fields, and the effect of predators on the stem borer population. The strip of Guinea grass supported an abundance of earwigs and spiders, the potential predators of stem borer eggs and larvae. Density of C. partellus larvae in the Guinea grass strips was low throughout the season and only young larvae were collected, suggesting the inferiority of the grass stand as a habitat for stem borer larvae. These results indicate that Guinea grass is a good agent of habitat management to selectively enhance arthropod predators of stem borers and act as a sink for the pest. Predator removal resulted in a higher density of C. partellus than control in maize-bordered plots. On the other hand, no difference was found in the stem borer density between predator treatments in grass-bordered plots, probably because of insufficient predator reduction in removal plots. These results suggest that the predator assemblage found in the study site has, if sufficiently abundant, potential to limit the C. partellus population in maize fields. Even though the Guinea grass stand harboured an abundant number of predators, the grass boundaries around maize fields did not enhance predator populations within the crop field. Furthermore, field boundaries of Guinea grass had no measurable effect on the within-field density of C. partellus as a trap crop. Creating a polyculture within the crop and early planting of the grass could further enhance the biological-control function of Guinea grass boundaries.     

蚜虱净对苜蓿主要害虫及天敌种群数量的影响

在甘肃省定西市九华沟系统研究了喷施蚜虱净对苜蓿主要害虫及天敌种群数量动态的影响。结果表明,施药田蚜虫和蓟马的季节平均数量极显著高于对照田,而盲蝽和瓢虫、小花蝽、蜘蛛等大多数天敌的季节平均数量则极显著低于对照田,寄生蜂与对照田没有湿著差异。喷施蚜虱净对种群数量时序动态的影响在不同害虫和天敌种类中表现不同,5月底施药后7d对照田蚜虫和蓟马的种群数量分别为施药田的4．13倍和5．2倍,此后施药田害虫的种群数量开始迅速增加,到6月底2种害虫的种群数量均与对照田无显著差异,到7月中旬以后反而显著高于对照田。施药对盲蝽种群数量时序动态的影响与蚜虫和蓟马不同,5月底施药后盲蝽的种群数量一直显著低于对照田,直到7月下旬以后,种群数量才恢复到对照田的水平。喷施蚜虱净对天敌种群数量的时序动态有极显著的影响,大多数天敌的种群数量在5月底施药后到7月底都一直显著低于对照田,直到8月上旬才恢复到对照田的水平。施用杀虫剂在防治害虫的同时杀伤大量天敌,使害虫的种群数量迅速增加,甚至造成更严重的为害。因此在菖蓿上使用对天敌杀伤力小的杀虫剂对保持天敌的自然控制能力有重要作用。     

Effect of two solanaceous plants on developmental and population parameters of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is an important tomato pest that also feeds on other host-plants from the Solanceae family. We studied the effect of two cultivated plants, tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) and potato Solanum tuberosum L. on the development and populational parameters of T. absoluta related with host-plant suitability. Larval developmental time, pupal weight, mean fecundity and an index of host-plant quality (IPQ = pupal weight / frass weight) were estimated. Age-specific survivorship and fecundity life tables were constructed in the laboratory to evaluate the following populational parameters: net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and generation time (T). Larval developmental time was shorter and pupal weight was higher (P < 0.0001) for larvae reared on tomato (P < 0.0001). Mean fecundity was not significantly different on both plants (P = 0.07) and food quality of host-plant was higher for tomato (P = 0.02). Mean population parameters on tomato were: Ro = 48.92; T = 27.98, r = 0.14; and on potato: Ro = 14.43; T = 32.35, r = 0.08. Although results showed that tomato was a more suitable host-plant and had a better nutritional quality than potato, when T. absoluta fed on potato the potential population increase requires attention. Under appropriate climatic conditions, spatial and temporal coincidence between crop and pest, T. absoluta could become a pest for the potato crop.     

Effects of mixed cropping on population densities and parasitism rates of the diamondback moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plutella xylostella</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Effects of mixed cropping and barrier crops on the population density and parasitism of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were evaluated in field plots of cabbage grown in Bali, Indonesia. The densities of P. xylostella at larval and pupal stages, as well as the overall density at larval plus pupal stages, were significantly lower in cabbage/coriander mixed cropping subplots than in cabbage monoculture subplots. Parasitism of P. xylostella by the larval parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum (Hellen) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was not significantly different between the mixed and monocultural cropping systems. These results do not support the so-called enemies hypothesis, but suggest that disruption of the host searching behavior of female moths by neighboring non-host plants is the mechanism behind the associational resistance observed in the coriander mixed cropping system. The inclusion of a Napier grass barrier between mixed crop and monoculture subplots did not affect the influence of mixed cropping on larval and pupal densities. Therefore, Napier grass, which is used locally as a fence for preventing livestock invasion of fields, would not obstruct the pest-reducing effect of coriander/cabbage mixed cropping.     

DAMAGE TO WHEAT BY HELOPHORUS NUBILUS F

Helophorus nubilus F. is recorded as a serious pest of wheat in East Anglia. No previous record of serious damage has been made, but slight injury was recorded iu 1922 and 1923. Observations in a number of widely separated fields show that the intensity of attack varies with the previous cropping and a serious attack occurs most frequently after rye grass and clover. The larva causes ^Tl most damage when the tilth is loose.
Observations on the life history suggest that the species has one generation per annum. Eggs were not found, and the earliest damage to wheat was observed in January. Pupae were found in late April and early May, and adults were bred out in the laboratory at the end of May. The larval and pupal stages are described.
The authors are indebted to Dr G. H. Bates and Mr J. C. Mann of the Norfolk County Agricultural Staff, and to Mr G. W. Channon, formerly of the Cambridgeshire County Agricultural Staff, who reported insect attacks on the wheat fields visited.     

Ecological studies on the red-striped sugarcane soft scale,pulvinaria tenuivalvata (newstead) (hemiptera: coccidae) in upper Egypt: Ökologische studien über die rotgestreifte weiche zuckerrohr-schildlaus,pulvinaria tenuivalvata (newstead) (hemiptera: coccidae) in Oberägypten

The red-striped soft scale Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a pest attacking sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) recently recorded in Upper Egypt governorates. Sugarcane plantations in Upper Egypt were thoroughly inspected for 2 years from January 2001 until December 2002 to record infestation with P. tenuivalvata and its population density. Also, crops, plants and weeds growing near sugarcane fields were examined to determine the host range of this pest. A pest species of soft scale insect has become increasingly dangerous on sugarcane in Egypt. The insect occurrence was from 3?–?8 months on the infested hosts. The red-striped soft scale was active from May until December. Sugarcane, Cogon grass and Deccan grass were the hosts, which harboured all insect stages. The infestation was restricted on the lower surface of the leaves and lower numbers were found on the upper surface. Damage to sugarcane including withering of the leaves and reduced yield, with reduction in the sucrose content of the juice. The growth rate of pest population infesting the sugarcane plants in season 2001, increased gradually during the period from June to September and decreased from October to December. The same trend was found for the growth rate of population in season 2002. At the high growth rate it is advisable to use chemical control. The effect of weather factors on the population density of the P. tenuivalvata (the correlation between the total number of pests and temperature or RH.) were positive to both seasons. Many predators and parasites were collected, identified and counted.     

Decreased functional diversity and biological pest control in conventional compared to organic crop fields

Organic farming is one of the most successful agri-environmental schemes, as humans benefit from high quality food, farmers from higher prices for their products and it often successfully protects biodiversity. However there is little knowledge if organic farming also increases ecosystem services like pest control. We assessed 30 triticale fields (15 organic vs. 15 conventional) and recorded vascular plants, pollinators, aphids and their predators. Further, five conventional fields which were treated with insecticides were compared with 10 non-treated conventional fields. Organic fields had five times higher plant species richness and about twenty times higher pollinator species richness compared to conventional fields. Abundance of pollinators was even more than one-hundred times higher on organic fields. In contrast, the abundance of cereal aphids was five times lower in organic fields, while predator abundances were three times higher and predator-prey ratios twenty times higher in organic fields, indicating a significantly higher potential for biological pest control in organic fields. Insecticide treatment in conventional fields had only a short-term effect on aphid densities while later in the season aphid abundances were even higher and predator abundances lower in treated compared to untreated conventional fields. Our data indicate that insecticide treatment kept aphid predators at low abundances throughout the season, thereby significantly reducing top-down control of aphid populations. Plant and pollinator species richness as well as predator abundances and predator-prey ratios were higher at field edges compared to field centres, highlighting the importance of field edges for ecosystem services. In conclusion organic farming increases biodiversity, including important functional groups like plants, pollinators and predators which enhance natural pest control. Preventative insecticide application in conventional fields has only short-term effects on aphid densities but long-term negative effects on biological pest control. Therefore conventional farmers should restrict insecticide applications to situations where thresholds for pest densities are reached.     

Body condition, growth rates and diet of Skylark Alauda arvensis nestlings on lowland farmland

Factors affecting the diet, body condition and growth rates of Skylark chicks were assessed to examine their relationship to their agricultural environment during a critical period in the life cycle of this rapidly declining species. Rainfall explained the greatest amount of variation in body condition and growth rates and had a negative effect on both. Body condition indices were a good predictor of the likelihood of future partial brood loss to starvation. Low body condition in grass fields was related to a low diversity in the diet. Chicks fed insect larvae had higher body condition indices than those not fed larvae. Larger broods tended to have higher growth rates than smaller ones, whereas smaller broods tended to have higher body condition indices. Natural brood size reduction through the non-hatching of eggs resulted in higher body condition indices than were found in nests with the same number of chicks where all eggs hatched, this effect being independent of absolute brood size. There was no significant difference between crop types in the distance adult birds flew to forage for food for nestlings and foraging crop destination had no effect on chick development. Differences between crop types in chick diet could be related to the documented effects of pesticides on different prey species. We suggest that recent agricultural changes have affected diet and possibly body condition, but that these effects are unlikely to have been an important factor in recent population declines.     

Generalist predators in organically and conventionally managed grass‐clover fields: implications for conservation biological control

Organically managed agroecosystems rely in part on biological control to prevent pest outbreaks. Generalist predators (Araneae, Carabidae and Staphylinidae) are a major component of the natural enemy community in agroecosystems. We assessed the seasonal dynamics of major generalist predator groups in conventionally and organically managed grass–clover fields that primarily differed by fertilisation strategy. We further established an experiment, manipulating the abundant wolf spider genus Pardosa, to identify the importance of these predators for herbivore suppression in the same system and growth period. Organic management significantly enhanced ground‐active spider numbers early and late in the growing season, with potentially positive effects of plant cover and non‐pest decomposer prey. However, enhancing spider numbers in the field experiment did not improve biological control in organically managed grass–clover fields. Similar to the survey results, reduced densities of Pardosa had no short‐term effect on any prey taxa; however, spider guild structure changed in response to Pardosa manipulation. In the presence of fewer Pardosa, other ground‐running spiders were more abundant; therefore, their impact on herbivore numbers may have been elevated, possibly cancelling increases in herbivore numbers because of reduced predation by Pardosa. Our results indicate positive effects of organic farming on spider activity density; however, our survey data and the predator manipulation experiment failed to find evidence that ground‐running spiders reduced herbivore numbers. We therefore suggest that a positive impact of organic fertilisers on wolf spiders in grass–clover agroecosystems may not necessarily improve biological control when compared with conventional farming.     

Effects of predation and dispersal on Mastomys natalensis population dynamics in Tanzanian maize fields

1. We investigate the effects of different levels of predation pressure and rodent dispersal on the population dynamics of the African pest rodent Mastomys natalensis in maize fields in Tanzania. 2. Three levels of predation risk were used in an experimental set-up: natural level (control), excluding predators by nets and attracting avian predators by nest boxes and perch poles. Because dispersal of the rodents could mask the predation pressure treatment effects, control and predator exclusion treatments were repeated with enclosed rodent populations. 3. Population growth during the annual population rise period was faster in the absence of predators and peak population size was higher, but otherwise dynamics patterns were similar for populations where predators had access or were attracted, indicating that compensatory mechanisms operate when rodents are exposed to high levels of predation risk. Reducing dispersal of rodents removed the effect of predation on population growth and peak size, suggesting that local predators may play a role in driving rodent dispersal, but have otherwise little direct effect on population dynamics.