Simulation 5: Simulating the use of pesticide at a threshold level
The calendar spraying we saw in simulation 4 is simple, but it is not a good farming practice because the farmer would spray even when population densities are very low. It makes more sense to spray only when it is needed to keep the population below a certain level. That level would of course be a level where the farmer expects the pest to damage his crop.
Let’s see how the simulation looks when we spray only at a certain threshold level.
Simulation 5
Simulation settings
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We have seen that it takes quite frequent pesticide applications to keep a population below a certain level. But there are more ways to manage pest populations.
Let’s look at the effect of natural enemies and see how they can help keep pest populations under control.
Go to Simulation 6: Introducing biological pest control: a predator.
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