APPRAISAL OF DELAYED AND DIRECT DENSITY-DEPENDENCE

Of the methods designed to detect and measure the intensity of direct and delayed density-dependent types of mortality acting on populations, that of Morris has gained considerable acceptance. While this method of analysis has predictive value and provides a means of estimating direct density-dependence, it seems inappropriate to the detection and measurement of a delayed density-dependent mortality such as that normally associated with entomophagous parasites. The biological significance of the slopes of the linear regressions calculated in the Morris method is discussed, and population models based on the theory of Nicholson and Bailey are presented in support of the argument. © 1969, Entomological Society of Canada. All rights reserved.