Ecosystem Roles Flashcards
What are 6 general roles that insects might play in an ecosystem?
Define predator
What is predation’s relationship to population dynamics?
Explain:
Density dependent
Density independent
give examples of each
Describe the parasite/host relationship
hyper/superparasitism = parasitizing a parasite
How do parasites function in population dynamics?
Describe how insects function as components of the food chain with regards to population regulation
What are saprophages?
What role do they play in an ecosystem?
What are some examples of what they might consume?
What is a pollinator?
What specific set of organisms do they benefit?
What advantages (3) do they provide for those organisms?
What is special about the honey bee? What is its economic impact in the US?
What are some examples co-evolved adaptations that underly pollinator relationships?
What are vectors?
What are some examples of forest health problems related to insect vectors?
What is a phytophage?
Describe the host range of herbivorous insects.
