A Physiologically Based ODE Model for an Old Pest: Modeling Life Cycle and Population Dynamics of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the key insect pests infesting orchards in Mediterranean areas. Its coevolution with tree, Olea europaea, made this pest highly specialized for crop, being responsible several yield reductions terms fruits and oil organoleptic properties. Monitoring is, to date, main tool assess entity infestations, but increasing availability biological information making possible a quantitative interpretation B. oleae’s traits mathematical language. In study, we aim synthesize plethora by applying general physiologically based model theory recent introduction. As result, obtained parameterized capable describing populations high potential implementation Decision Support System programs. Besides parameterization, validation has been carried out three-year survey conducted two representative productive areas Sabina (Lazio, Central Italy). showed overall reliability field data trend, it good starting point be further improved.