Mathematical models applied to symbiont-insect-host systems

• Grant number: 17/19984-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy
• Grantee: Gabriel Rodrigues Palma
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/16609-7 - A multi - and interdisciplinary approach to understand spatio-temporal patterns of insect pests and design landscapes for sustainable pest management in tropical agricultural systems, AP.TEM

Abstract

Given the importance of understanding the symbiont-insect host system in scenarios of an interaction of the host with natural enemies or pesticides, mathematical models can be proposed, in many cases with simple formulations. Many questions of theoretical and applied relevance can be asked concerning the population dynamics of the system, including the influence of the degree of vertical or horizontal transmission of the symbionts or the strength of the trade-offs related to the maintenance of the symbiont in the host population facing different scenarios. We propose to study the prevalence of symbionts in insect populations through the formulation of mathematical models. The main focus of this project is to understand how this prevalence influences important aspects of the dynamics of the insect hosts and its interaction with natural enemies and environment. (AU)