Processes that change with density are inherent in all populations, yet quantifying density dependence with empirical data remains a challenge. This is especially true for animals recruiting in patchy landscapes because heterogeneity in habitat quality in combination with habitat choice can obscure patterns expected from density dependence. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) typically experience strong density dependence when larvae compete for food, however, effects vary across species and contexts. If populations experience intense intraspecific density-dependent mortality then overcompensation can occur, where the number of survivors declines at high densities producing complex endogenous dynamics. To seek generalizations about density dependence in a widespread species of Arctic mosquito, Aedes nigripes, we combined a laboratory experiment, field observations, and modeling approaches. We evaluated alternative formulations of discrete population models and compared best-performing models from our lab study to larval densities from ponds in western Greenland. Survivorship curves from the lab were the best fit by a Hassell model with compensating density dependence (equivalent to a Beverton-Holt model) where peak recruitment ranged from 8 to 80 mosquitoes per liter depending on resource supply. In contrast, our field data did not show a signal of strong density dependence, suggesting that other processes such as predation may lower realized densities in nature, and that expected patterns may be obscured because larval abundance covaries with resources (cryptic density dependence). Our study emphasizes the importance of covariation between the environment, habitat choice, and density dependence in understanding population dynamics across landscapes, and demonstrates the value of pairing lab and field studies.

随着密度变化的过程是所有人群固有的，但用经验数据量化密度依赖性仍然是一个挑战。对于在斑驳景观中招募的动物尤其如此，因为栖息地质量的异质性与栖息地选择相结合可能会掩盖密度依赖性所预期的模式。当幼虫争夺食物时，蚊子（双翅目：蚊科）通常会经历强烈的密度依赖性，但是，影响因物种和环境而异。如果种群经历强烈的种内密度依赖性死亡率，则可能会发生过度补偿，其中幸存者数量在高密度下下降，从而产生复杂的内源性动力学。为了对广泛分布的北极蚊子黑纹伊蚊的密度依赖性进行概括，我们结合了实验室实验、现场观察和建模方法。我们评估了离散种群模型的替代公式，并将实验室研究中表现最佳的模型与格陵兰西部池塘中的幼虫密度进行了比较。实验室的存活曲线最适合具有补偿密度依赖性的 Hassell 模型（相当于 Beverton-Holt 模型），其中根据资源供应，峰值募集范围为每升 8 到 80 只蚊子。相比之下，我们的现场数据没有显示出强烈的密度依赖性信号，这表明捕食等其他过程可能会降低自然界中已实现的密度，并且由于幼虫丰度与资源存在共变（神秘的密度依赖性），因此预期模式可能会被掩盖。