Effects of a Human Habitation on Local Insect Populations

Abstract

In recent years. the intensive pressures man has placed on his environment, and the resultant disruption of natural eco- systems, has stimulated research into the ecology of man's in- teraction with biotic communities. Most of the work with insects in this regard has centered around economic pests and/or populatton changes resulting from large-scale, high-technology

human activities (Hardford, 1964; Fewkes, 1967; Edwards, 1968; Mcewen, 1972; Hewitt and Rees, 1974). This study investigated. the changes in population sizes of certain insects caused by human activity in a low technology form. The worker Iived in a relatively undisturbed area, while minimizing the pressures he exerted on the local environment, An attempt was made to relate observed changes in insect abundance to specific aspects of his activity, in particular the trampling of vegetation and self-maintenance activities (e.g. eating). In order to monitor changes in a number of insect groups, a variety of sampling techniques were used, which were later compared for their relative convenience and efficiency.