ZLY 403

NATURAL INSECT
POPULATION GROWTH AND
DYNAMICS
 INTRODUCTION
Insects by intuition, constitute a group of
animals that is most dreaded by man because
he sees them as animals that
– Show up uninvited
– Build up large numbers in a short time
– Occur in large numbers
– Derive powers to destroy from collective action
– Seems to organize themselves readily to effect evil
actions
– Are constantly out to destroy surprisingly
 INTRODUCTION
Insect populations
• Occupy a limited space
• Have unique intrinsic characteristics peculiar to each population
• Some of these include:
• Optimal density
• Dispersion rate
• Natality rate
• Mortality rate
• Growth rate
• Age distribution and structure
• Oviposition rate
• Hatchability rate
• Sex ratio
• Etc
The expression of each of these characteristics is however
informed by the environmental factors within the locality
 INTRODUCTION CONT’D
These unique characteristics, when optimal, results in
enhanced
population size
Dispersion
intraspecies interaction (courtship, mating, reproduction,
parental care, etc.)
resource utilization
interactions with other populations in the community
 A balanced system wherein all members are living optimally

Hence insect populations derive quite a number

of collective benefits from staying in groups
 Natural insect population growth
Insect population number
 Grows gradually and rates improves with time
 The rate of growth begins to experience a down turn after a
while
 At a point the rate of addition become zero and a climax
number is assumed
 Thereafter the number keeps fluctuating around the climax
number
The number and rate of insect population growth in at typical life
system is a factor of
– the intrinsic characteristics of the insect which are inherited and
expressed genetically as biotic or reproductive potentials and
– the environmental resource available to them which include the
climate, food quality and quantity, space, etc.
 Insect population number
• Since the actual number of an insect population depends on innate ability
and environmental influence
• The actual number of an insect population at a particular point in time could
be described as
The algebraic sum of innate ability of the organism to reproduce (Biotic
potential) and survive the restraints instituted by the environment
(environmental restraints)
Thus
Actual Abundance = Biotic Potential – Environmental Potential
i.e. Nt = N0 e(b-d)t – Et + It
Where:
• Nt=Number at the end of a period
• N0=Number at the beginning
• e=Base of natural Log(2.7183)
• b – Birth rate, d = Death rate,
• e = Emigration rate, I = Immigration rate, t = time
 GROWTH FACTORS
• The earlier expression as a general model can be used to
predict changes in number of a typical insect population
assuming that the environmental variations are reasons for
the expression of biotic potential, as well as, immigration
and emigration
• Thus the number of a population of insects occurring at a
point in time in a typical system is actually determined by
the sum total of all the various environmental factors
influencing them
• These factors either support or discourage the population
growth of the insect
• Hence the factors can be grouped into two broad categories,
1. Growth enhancing factors (GEF) and
2. Growth suppressing factors (GSF)
 INTERPLAY OF GROWTH FACTORS
• At any point in time when GEF > GSF there will be an increase
in the number of the insect and a positive growth rate
• At any point in time when GEF < GSF there will be a decrease
in the number of the insect and a negative growth rate
• At any point in time when GEF = GSF there will be no increase
or decrease in the number of the insect and a zero growth rate
• The more the difference between the aggregate GEF and GSF
at any point in time the higher the rate of increase or decrease
in number
• Thus the interplay of GEF and GSF to reflect their gradual
progressive changes inform the growth curve of all insects
naturally
Therefore insect populations always obey the overall balance
sheet of the interplay of the two factors (GEF and GSF)
 THE GROWTH FACTOR CHECK ON INSECT
POPULATION NUMBERS
• A logistic curve presents when GSF is present naturally
• When GSF is totally absent an exponential curve result
• When GEF is inordinately high an exponential curve results
Note that
• the critical downturn in rate of growth marked by a notable
deflection is informed by the advent of GSF
• The growth curve is flat or a rate of Zero is the case when GEF and
GSF are equal
• the Interplay continues to ensure insect population survival in a
cyclical manner
Hence all insect populations are under a natural check that ensures
that their numbers and rate of growth are kept at a level that is
tolerable and dictated by the system they inhabit.
Unfortunately
• the life systems of some otherwise naturally existing
ecosystems have been modified greatly by removing or
reducing GSFs or encouraging GEFs inordinately
• Giving a situation that is far cry from the situation in a natural
ecosystem that has balanced out over time in the respects of temporal
continuity, species diversity, uniform vegetative and phonological
structures and imbalances with respect to diseases and outbreaks
• Most agroecosystems through agriculture have modified the
ecosystems into one that encourages the maintenance of a
single or handful of specific crops to satisfy human needs. An
inordinate level of GEF is introduced for the insect pests of
the said crop, who then respond by growing by exponential
curve.
• human activities have been largely responsible for these
types of upset.
 CONCLUSION
• Some of such human activities include
– Food storage
– monocropping or monoculture,
– Use of fertilizer and
– Indiscriminate use of Pesticide,
– poor hygiene
– Human mobility
– change in human behavior

Thus insects generally and naturally keep their numbers low and
tolerable to man.
Man is largely responsible for the insect outbreak and
the same man complains bitterly about the repercussion of his
actions blaming the insects