This is to be a quantitative study of the tri-trophic level, two-species interaction between the western tree hole mosquito Aedes sierrensis and the ciliate Lambornell clarki. Three models will be employed: two will compare a general 3-species prey / predator / parasite system to explore the unique properties of the interaction, while a third model will incorporate size structure and age structure features in addition to extrinsic factors. Model analysis is to focus on understanding three kinds of larval mortality: over-compensatory, compensatory, and decompensatory, each of which has been observed under varying food resource conditions. Sensitivity analysis will be used to determine which parameters are responsible for causing the various mortality types. Finally the model is to be validated through experiments designed to test simulation results. %%% Pollution problems and insect resistance to traditional pesticides necessitate examination of alternative control methods. The potential for biological control agents is great due to their target specificity. It is expected that this investigation will significantly improve our understanding of mechanisms for insect mortality in nature (for example, are they density-dependent?). Results should be very useful in guiding pest control strategies generally.
