On these pages I will show step by step how to create a computer model to simulate pest control. We will start by creating a model to simulate the population growth of an insect population (the pest). Then we will make models to control this pest population.
First we will simulate pest control using pesticides (insecticides) to see what it takes to keep the pest under control. Then we introduce biological control in our model, simulating the effect of natural control agents (predators and parasitoids). We will see how they can regulate the size of the pest population.
Finally we will combine everything in a more complex model where pest and natural enemies interact with each other and where a pesticide is used to control the pest. The pesticide will not only kill the pest, but it also kills the natural enemies of the pest.
In the end we will have a complex simulation model where you can try out a range of parameters to study how they affect the population development of pests and natural enemies.
Are you interested in biology (entomology), mathematics and computer models? Let’s start simulating pest control. Follow the simulations from 1 to 9.
Go to Simulation 1: The development of an insect population.
The scripts for these simulations are written in JavaScript. If you have any questions or comments, or if you discover any errors, please contact me.
- Introduction
- Simulation 1 - The development of an insect population
- Simulation 2 - A reproduction factor based on birth and mortality.
- Simulation 3 - Limiting population growth
- Simulation 4 - Simulate use of pesticides
- Simulation 5 - Pesticide applications at a threshold level
- Simulation 6 - Introducing biological pest control: a predator
- Simulation 7 - Introducing biological pest control: a parasitoid
- Simulation 8 - Biological pest control with predator and parasitoid
- Simulation 9 - Biological pest control and chemical control