Commentary - Metapopulation dynamics and the control of mobile agricultural pests: Fresh insights

Abstract

This article draws attention to recent theoretical modelling work by Ives and Settle which challenges the conventional wisdom that any control measure acting synchronously on local subpopulations will cause the greatest reduction in pest metapopulation densities. Their work provides a valuable framework both for investigating the metapopulation dynamics of biological control and for identifying the optimal pest control strategy for particular crop systems. It highlights the importance in metapopulation dynamics of the timing of pest and predator population movement.