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Approaches and Methods for Direct Behavioral Observation and Analysis of Plant-Insect Interactions

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Insect-Plant Interactions

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Experimental Entomology ((SSEXP))

Abstract

Perhaps the greatest contribution of Konrad Lorenz to the discipline of ethology was to advocate use of biological investigatory methods for behavioral studies of animals (Tinbergen, 1963). Observation conducted as a systematic biological investigation differs from merely watching the behavior of an animal in that observation utilizes the uniquely human capacity for thought. Thought gives rise to a framework of important questions to consider during observation. What, when, how, why, and where are all highly pertinent aspects of studying the activity of an animal (Lehner, 1979). Other behaviorists have suggested consideration of proximate and ultimate factors affecting behavior as an advisable approach to behavioral investigation (e.g., Drickamer and Vessey, 1982). Yet another way of visualizing the study of animal behavior focuses on the function, causation, ontogeny, and evolution of observed behaviors (Tinbergen, 1963). But no matter how the study of behavior is conceptualized, the necessity, when conducting observations, for continual thought and reflection, particularly within the context of behavioral-ecological theory, is an indispensible consideration.

Description is never, can never be, random; it is in fact highly selective, and selection is made with reference to the problems, hypotheses and methods the investigator has in mind.

Tinbergen, 1963, p. 412

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Massachusetts, 01003, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

    Ronald J. Prokopy

Authors
  1. Susan B. Opp
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  2. Ronald J. Prokopy
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pesticide Research Center, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    James R. Miller

  2. Department of Entomology, University of California, 92521, Riverside, California, USA

    Thomas A. Miller

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© 1986 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Opp, S.B., Prokopy, R.J. (1986). Approaches and Methods for Direct Behavioral Observation and Analysis of Plant-Insect Interactions. In: Miller, J.R., Miller, T.A. (eds) Insect-Plant Interactions. Springer Series in Experimental Entomology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4910-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4910-8_1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-4910-8

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