Dr Ring

Question 1

What is the language of science?

Answer 1

Math

Question 2

Define Injury.

Answer 2

Something an insect does

Question 3

Define damage

Answer 3

Economic loss

Question 4

Define EIL

Answer 4

Breakeven point where cost equals economic loss from insect.

Question 5

Define ET

Answer 5

Density of injury indicating a need for management.

Question 6

Define Hormesis

Answer 6

Positive stimulation by low doses of a potential harmful agent.

Question 7

Write the formula for EIL.

Answer 7

EIL = costs/(market valueinjurydamage*%effectiveness of treatment).

Question 8

What statistical procedure would you use to develop an EIL? Why?

Answer 8

Regression. It gets a predictive equation and can predict levels of injury or density not tested.

Question 9

What is the most fundamental factor of the EIL?

Answer 9

Injury/crop yield response relationship.

Question 10

Where is the ET set in relation to the EIL.

Answer 10

Less than the EIL.

Question 11

List 4 types of thresholds.

Answer 11

No threshold, nominal, simple, and comprehensive.

Question 12

What are entomologists expected to be and to do? (Uvarov)

Answer 12

Prophets and to forecast the seasonal appearance of pests.

Question 13

List 6 component for a degree day model.

Which one is more important? FALS-BTT

Answer 13

Formula
Accuracy
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Starting date
Biological data (more important).
Threshold(s)
Temperature records

Question 14

Should error in degree days or days be used to determine error of predictions?

Answer 14

Days

Question 15

Would standard deviation or root mean square error be best for determining the accuracy of thresholds and start days?

Answer 15

Root mean square error

Question 16

Would be Julian date or day of the year for start date? Why?

Answer 16

Day of the year. Julian days is a consecutive number of days starting from 4713 B.C., day of a particular year starting from January 1st is what is really meant.

Question 17

What is the goal of science?

Answer 17

Determining the correct model is the goal of science. A model is sought to predict natural phenomena.

Question 18

According to Ratkowsky, what must model developers decide?

Answer 18

Whether they want to merely fit their data or discover universal relationships.

Question 19

How were the “FALS” components obtained in the pecan nut casebearer model?

Answer 19

1 - Formula degree days for one day ((Max+Min)/2) - DT
Cumulative degree days = sum DD for each day
2 - Accuracy - Root mean square error in days. The combination of developmental threshold and start date resulting in the lowest root square mean error was chosen.
L
3 - Starting date - Inspection of field data with start dates tested from day of the year 1 to 120 using 1 day increment.

Question 20

How were the “BTT” components obtained in the pecan nut casebearer model?

Answer 20

1 - Biological data - The model was developed from 6 years of field data from Dr. Bilsing. The model was verified using field data from College Station, TX, and field data from literature.
2 - Thresholds - Inspection of field data with thresholds tested from 0 to 70 F using 1 degree increment.
3 - Temperature records - For future days in a year 30 year averages from national weather service data for a day of the year and location were used. FOr temperatures experienced as a year progressed, real time data from the national weather service was used. Missing data was estimated from a weather station that was close to the location from which data were missing.