Mathematical foundations for modeling poikilotherm mortality

Abstract

A mathematical basis for incorporating mortality into models of insect development is presented. There has been much attention given to modeling insect development, but the quantitative treatment of mortality, especially of immature stages, is often overlooked. This paper investigates mortality as it affects immature-organism development, proceeding from the simple to the complex. The methods presented are illustrated with examples taken from boll-weevil immature mortality within cotton floral buds.