A modelling approach to describe the Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) life cycle in plant protection: a priori and a posteriori analysis
Abstract
Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most severe pests for sweet and hot varieties of pepper (Capsicum spp.; Solanaceae). The species is distributed widely, principally in Central America, but in 2013 it was detected for the first time in the Lazio region of Italy. Modelling plays a key role in reducing chemical treatments used on Capsicum spp., but reliable predictions of pest populations require adjusted tools, as well as intense knowledge of the insect’s biology and its typical environment. The main goal of this work is to describe the life cycle of A. eugenii with a physiologically based model, which links the population dynamics with the environmental parameters. More specifically, this analysis focuses on the different response of the age-structured model in relation to the development rate function in input. Two methodologies to determine the best representative development rate function suitable for simulations are proposed; the first is “a priori analysis,” whereas the second is the “a posteriori analysis.” Simulations were compared with semi-field data, collected in a controlled experimental greenhouse where A. eugenii developed in varying temperature conditions. Results showed that the model used is adequate to describe A. eugenii population dynamics and highlighted how the a posteriori analysis can be essential to (i) analyze the simulation outputs, and (ii) determine the best representing development rate function, if the a priori analysis does not provide this information sufficiently clearly.
Resumen
Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) es una de las plagas más severas para las variedades de chile dulce y chile picante (Capsicum spp.; Solanaceae). La especie es distribuida ampliamente, principalmente en América Central, pero en el 2013 se detectó por primera vez en la región italiana de Lazio. El modelado juega un papel clave en la reducción de los tratamientos químicos utilizados en Capsicum spp., pero las predicciones confiables de las poblaciones de plagas requieren herramientas ajustadas, así como un conocimiento intenso de la biología del insecto y su ambiente típico. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es describir el ciclo de vida de A. eugenii con un modelo basado fisiológicamente, que vincula la dinámica de la población con los parámetros ambientales. Más específicamente, este análisis se enfoque sobre la respuesta diferente del modelo estructurado por edad en relación con la función de tasa de desarrollo en insumo. Se proponen dos metodologías para determinar la mejor función de tasa de desarrollo representativa para usar en simulaciones; el primero es “análisis a priori,” mientras que el segundo es el “análisis a posteriori.” Se compararon las simulaciones con datos de semi-campo, recolectados en un invernadero experimental controlado donde A. eugenii se desarrolló en diferentes condiciones de temperatura. Los resultados mostraron que el modelo utilizado es adecuado para describir la dinámica de la población de A. eugenii y resaltaron cómo el análisis a posteriori puede ser fundamental para (i) analizar los resultados de la simulación y (ii) determinar la mejor función que representa la tasa de desarrollo, si el análisis a priori no proporciona esta información con suficiente claridad.
Key Words: pepper weevil; Von Foerster’s equation; integrated pest management; alien species; development rate function; physiologically based models
Supplementary material for this article in Florida Entomologist 103(2) (June 2020) is online at http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/entomologist/browse
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