Abstract: Apparent competition is a new type of indirect interaction between species that is different from resource-mediated competition. It is a phenomenon In which two species that share a natural enemy negatively affect each other’s abundance. It is now known that apparent competition is as important as resource-mediated competition, especially for phytophagous insects. There has been great progress in theoretical and experimental aspects of apparent competition over the last 10 years. This paper reviews recent studies on different aspects of apparent competition in insects, including the underlying concepts, experiments, theoretical models, mechanisms of interaction and coexistence etc. The application of apparent competition in pest control is discussed.

Key words: insect, species interaction, apparent competition, biological control.