Model for integrating internal and external drivers for dispersal and distribution pattern in carabid beetles

Summary

Carabid beetles are important contributors to the ecosystem service of biological control of invertebrate crop pests. The density of carabid beetles varies over the landscape and their spatial pattern is highly dynamic in time and space. We hypothesize that the ever changing pattern of carabids in the landscape, and the spatial distribution of the associated ecosystem service, may be predicted by integrating internal and external drivers into a behavioural model for individuals. Internal drivers include the need for food, egg laying substrate and shelter. External drivers include the spatial pattern of food items, structure and density of vegetation, microclimate, and the presence of conspecifics or predators. Both types of drivers show strong seasonal variability. Process data will be collected in artificial arenas with automated camera observation of behaviour of Pterostichus melanarius and Poecilus cupreus. Here, the conceptual framework of the modelling is explained together with the experimental approach and some expected outcomes. One strong and one weak point of our approach are discussed.