Abstract
In the present paper, we develop a host-parasitoid model with Holling type II functional response function and chemical control, which can be applied at any time of each parasitism season or pest generation, and focus on addressing the importance of the timing of application pesticide during the parasitism season or pest generation in successful pest control. Firstly, the existence and stability of both the host and parasitoid populations extinction equilibrium and parasitoid-free equilibrium have been investigated. Secondly, the effects of key parameters on the threshold conditions have been discussed in more detail, which shows the importance of pesticide application times on the pest control. Thirdly, the complex dynamics including multiple attractors coexistence, chaotic behavior, and initial sensitivity have been studied by using numerical bifurcation analyses. Finally, the uncertainty and sensitivity of all the parameters on the solutions of both the host and parasitoid populations are investigated, which can help us to determine the key parameters in designing the pest control strategy. The present research can help us to further understand the importance of timings of pesticide application in the pest control and to improve the classical chemical control and to make management decisions.
Highlights
Integrated pest management (IPM) is the selection and application of pest control actions that can ensure favourable economic and ecological consequences [1,2,3], which has been successfully applied to agricultural pest management situations
We develop a host-parasitoid model with Holling type II functional response function and chemical control, which can be applied at any time of each parasitism season or pest generation, and focus on addressing the importance of the timing of application pesticide during the parasitism season or pest generation in successful pest control
IPM employs a variety of tactics including cultural controls, biological controls, and chemical controls or pesticides, while biological pest control is one of the most common measures applied in IPM through the control and management of natural predators and parasites
Summary
Integrated pest management (IPM) is the selection and application of pest control actions that can ensure favourable economic and ecological consequences [1,2,3], which has been successfully applied to agricultural pest management situations. The questions are whether there exists an optimal pesticide application time at which the number of the pest populations can be minimized, even eradicated, and how the pesticide application time and efficiency affect the successful pest control and complex outbreak patterns. To address those questions, it follows from the basic modelling methods proposed in literatures [22,23,24] that we assume that the chemical control tactic is applied instantaneously within the generation at any time. The present research can help us to further understand the importance of pesticide application times in the pest control and to improve the classical chemical control and to make management decisions
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