The Estimation of Insect Density and Instar Survivorship Functions from Census Data

Abstract

A technique is described for analyzing insect census data grouped by stage, where a population was sampled at irregular intervals, every few days, throughout 1 generation. The daily survivorship function is reconstructed using either a functional formulation or a set of minimum constraints. Stage recruitment, duration, mortality and relative sampling efficiency are then estimated. The method can account for the effect of pesticide applications and climatic disturbances. A set of field data of Aeneolamia varia saccharina is presented as an illustration.