A COMPARISON OF TWO MODELS OF THE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE WITH EMPHASIS ON PARAMETER ESTIMATION PROCEDURES

Abstract

The two primary functional response models extant in recent entomological literature were compared using a common set of data. Use of an iterative least squares parameter estimation routine was shown to be essential to a comparison of these two models. With parameters properly determined, the Watt model fit data on one out of five experiment days best, the Holling model fit data best on four out of five experiment days. The "handling time" submodel was shown to require iterative least squares parameter estimation rather than the usual log transformation and subsequent fitting of this logistic function by standard linear regression techniques. The conclusion was reached that if accuracy in prediction by nonlinear functional response models is desired, proper methods of determining parameter values are of critical importance.