Reading Summary

In your one or two paragraph summary (should take up of the page or so, single-spaced), please answer the following in your own words:

Describe the three distinct population processes (1. Arrival 2. Establishment 3. Spread) of the biological invasion of the gypsy moth in North America (both the United States and Canada).

The authors describe the rate of spread of gypsy moth in North America over the last 100 years as extremely slow, and not necessarily continuous. What factors (there are several!) have contributed to inhibiting a rapid range expansion of this invasive insect?

What do the authors say are several possible mechanisms that contribute to the observed Allee effect in low-density populations of gypsy moth (page 29)?

Do you think the Slow the Spread (SLS) approach to monitoring gypsy moth populations is an effective management technique? Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the program?