THE INTRINSIC RATE OF NATURAL INCREASE OF THE GREEN PEACH APHID, MYZUS PERSICAE (SULZER) (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE), ON COLLARDS (BRASSICA OLERACEA L.)

Abstract

Demographic analysis of a species population can be useful in gaining insight into its dynamics in a particular environment. The calculated intrinsic rate of increase of a population may be valuable in predicting population performance. As a single, discrete value, it serves as a quantitative measure, or ecological index, of the response of a species to a set of environmental conditions (Birch 1948; Messenger 1964).