Geospatial pest-parasitoid agent based model for optimizing biological control of forest insect infestation

Authored by Taylor M Anderson, Suzana Dragicevic

Date Published: 2016

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.07.017

Sponsors: National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Platforms: Repast Java

Model Documentation: ODD Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Forest insect infestations behave as complex systems and can be represented using agent-based modeling (ABM) approaches to explore and optimize eradication strategies such as biological control. This study develops novel geospatial agent-based EAB-BioCon model for the interactions of emerald ash borer (EAB) with the parasitoid Tetrastichus planipennisi (TP) wasp in order to evaluate the spread of forest infestations. The model is implemented on geospatial data from City of Oakville, Canada and is composed of: (1) EAB-Baseline model, representing EAB geospatial dynamics; and (2) EAB-TP model that employs scenarios to measure EAB response to variations in TP-based biological control strategies. The EAB-BioCon model simulation results indicate that variations of TP densities, timing of TP release, and number of TP release points are important considerations in the EAB biological control and thus providing useful conclusions in decision making and management. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
Spread North-america Fraxinus spp. Life-history Emerald ash borer Tetrastichus-planipennisi hymenoptera Oobius-agrili hymenoptera Coleoptera buprestidae Fairmaire coleoptera Eulophidae