The manipulation of the population growth of a pest species: an analytical approach.
Abstract
The demographic effects of reducing temperature and of insecticidal application against populations of the stored-grain pest Sitophilus oryzae (L.) were investigated analytically using a Leslie matrix model of population growth. This was an extension of work by L. P. Lefkovitch [see RAE/A 56, 314]. Reduction of the grain temperature from 27 to 18 deg C and imposing an adult mortality of 83% at 27 deg C depressed population growth equally. The prevention of population growth at 18 deg C required only 59% adult mortality per week, whereas at 27 deg C, 95% was required. The implications of these results for control strategies are discussed.