Simulation model for studying the effect of transgenic plants expressing a maturation-delaying compound on the cowpea weevil and western corn rootworm

We investigate alternative strategies using transgenic plants expressing compounds delaying insect maturation to replace or assist the current strategies using transgenic insecticidal crops by using a mathematical model. We compare the effects of transgenic plants expressing a maturation-delaying compound and/or an insecticidal compound on two major insect pests, such as the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), and western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and provide guidelines for designing new transgenic plants expressing a compound delaying insect maturation for the two insect pests.