A unified mechanistic approach is given for the derivation of various forms of functional response in predator-prey models. The derivation is based on the principle of mass action but with the crucial refinement that the nature of the spatial distribution of predators and/or opportunities for predation are taken into account in an implicit way. If the predators are assumed to have a homogeneous...

A simulation model using Time Varying Distributed Delays was created on the HERMES (Hierarchical Environment for Research Modelling of Ecological Systems) of the U S D A / A R S with the purpose of evaluating different forms of functional response components in dynamic simulations of biological control systems. The specific host-parasi toid life system used in the evaluation was the boll weevil...

anthocoris nemoralis (f.) (hemiptera: anthocoridae) is one of the most prominent predators of the pear psylla, cacopsylla pyricola (forster) (hemiptera: psyllidae) and is considered as a biological control agent against this pest. in order to investigate the effects of plant varieties on predation of c. pyricola by a. nemoralis, the functional response of both the sexes of a. nemoralis to pear ...