Management of invasive insect species using optimal control theory

Christina J. Edholm, Brigitte Tenhumberg, Chris Guiver, Yu Jin, Stuart Townley and Richard Rebarber

Ecological Modelling, 2018, vol. 381, issue C, 36-45

Abstract: We discuss the use of optimal control theory to determine the most cost-effective management strategies for insect pests. We use a stage-structured linear population projection model where the modeled control action increases the mortality in one of the stage-classes. We illustrate the method by using a published model for the root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus, an invasive insect species having a substantial negative impact on citrus trees in regions such as Florida and California in the United States. Here control corresponds to the application of inundative biological control agents (entomopathogenic nematodes as biopesticides) which increases the mortality of the larval stage. Our approach determines levels and timing of control to minimize the economic loss caused by D. abbreviatus. We use two numerical methods to approximate the optimal control, and compare their effectiveness.

Keywords: Population management; Optimal control; Invasive species; Discrete-time system; Diaprepes abbreviatus (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:381:y:2018:i:c:p:36-45

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.04.011

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