Abstract
Acquired resources are either assimilated or egested. Assimilated resources are either allocated to production (growth and reproduction) or expended through respiration. Fitness accrues to the extent that assimilated resources are sufficient for growth and reproduction, but insect allocation patterns represent trade-offs among competing requirements of growth, reproduction, and activities necessary for food acquisition, mating, reproduction, and interactions with other organisms. Species persist to the extent that the benefits of allocation patterns outweigh costs, in terms of survival and reproduction. Foraging and reproductive behaviors should provide the best return for the necessary expenditure of time and effort. Reproductive behavior should maximize survival of offspring. Among insects, selection of appropriate oviposition sites determines egg development and survival. Brood care is well represented among insects, with examples ranging from protection of young, to provision of food resources, to development of complex social systems for brood care and colony maintenance. However, efficiency of adult behaviors may conflict with efficiency of juvenile behaviors. For example, adults may oviposit on the most easily found hosts, whereas survival of immatures may depend on discovery of more suitable, but rare, food hosts. Competition and defense against predators often involve considerable expenditure of resources. Environmental changes will affect the efficiency of resource acquisition and allocation strategies. Global warming will improve energy balance for some species but increase respiration costs beyond the ability to acquire energy and nutrients for others.
Published Version
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