We fit data from a factorial-design field equipment to simple population dynamics models in order to estimate the effects of varying levels of vegetation diversity and selective pesticides on aphid populations. In particular, we used data from aphids counts on broccoli plots that were surrounded by either weeds or bare ground, and subject to zero, low level, or high levels of a selective pesticide. After fitting aphid densities to simple exponential and logistic growth models, we formulated and solved an inverse problem using least squares in order to estimate birth and death rate parameter values for aphids in each of the different treatments. A comparison of parameter values for weedy and bare ground margin treatments indicates a strong interaction between vegetation diversity and selective pesticide intensity on aphid populations. These results, which correspond with those stemming from a more convention analysis of variance approach, indicate that simple differential equation models and inverse methods provide a valuable tool for exploring factors regulating insect population dynamics.
Keywords: integrated pest management
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