Abigail Noel
In predator-prey interactions, predators can significantly influence prey population size and growth via consumptive effects and through changes in prey behavior associated with predation risk, which we consider non-consumptive effects. Our research investigates these non-consumptive effects using aphid parasitic wasps (Aphidius colemani) and green peach aphids (Myzus persicae). Our results demonstrate that wasp presence significantly reduces aphid fecundity and population growth beyond wasp consumptive capacity, and that these effects on aphids are long lasting.