BIOL-3330 lecture 2: Degree Day Model

Degree day model

A method used to calculate the amount of heat accumulated over a certain period of time, which is used to predict the development and activity of insects.

Degree days

A unit of measurement used in the degree day model, representing the accumulation of heat over time.

Inflection point

The point on a graph where the growth rate changes direction, indicating the optimal temperature for development.

Linear assumption

The assumption that the relationship between temperature and insect development is linear.

Enzymes

Biological molecules that govern insect activity and that are dependent on temperature.

Heat energy

The energy required for insect development, which is dependent on temperature.

Minimum threshold

The minimum temperature required for insect development to occur.

Where is the minimum threshold found on the graph of a Degree Day Model?

The X-intercept of the line of best fit.

Growth rate

The rate at which an insect grows or develops, often measured in days per unit of temperature.

Developmental period

The time it takes for an insect to complete its life cycle, from egg to adult.

Actual developmental period

The observed or measured time it takes for an organism to complete its growth and development.

DD10

Degree days above a temperature threshold of 10 degrees Celsius.

Incubator

A device used to provide controlled conditions for the growth and development of organisms, such as eggs.

Phormia regina

The most common, forensically relevant species of blowfly.

Oviposit

The process of laying eggs.

Generation time

The time it takes for one generation of flies to complete their life cycle.

Degree days > 0°C

The number of degree days accumulated above 0°C.

Correction factor

A value used to adjust data for site effects.

Amplitude

The maximum value of a sine wave.

Wave length

The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a sine wave.

Upper threshold

The maximum temperature at which development occurs.

Lower threshold

The minimum temperature at which development occurs.

Daily maximum temperature

The highest temperature recorded in a day.

Daily minimum temperature

The lowest temperature recorded in a day.

Phormia regina

A species of fly in the family Calliphoridae commonly used in forensic entomology studies.

ADD (Accumulated Degree Days)

A measure of the amount of heat accumulated over time, used to estimate the development and growth of insects.

Sarcosaprophagous

Referring to organisms that feed on decaying flesh.

Degree Day Calculator

A tool used in forensic entomology to calculate the number of degree days based on daily temperature data.