PREDATION BY WASPS, BIRDS, AND MAMMALS ON HYPHANTRIA CUNEA

Abstract

AbstractPredation by birds and social wasps (Vespula spp.) on larval colonies of Hyphantria cunea Drury was studied in both natural and artificial populations, and predation by mammals on overwintering pupae in the ground was studied in artificial populations. The species of predators are listed and some important differences in their habits of attack are described. Per cent predation by birds is directly related to the population density of H. cunea over a range of densities, but inversely related after density exceeds this range. When habitat and weather favor rapid population growth, H. cunea "escapes" from the population range in which predation exerts a regulatory influence.