CuraÁao

Author:

Barr E Ticknor, Phil Arneson

Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium

Collection:

BioQUEST Library OnLine

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

CuraÁao is a computer program that simulates the sterile insect release method (SIRM) of pest population suppression, first conceived by E. F. Knipling (1955).

The user can investigate the effects of several variables on the effectiveness of the method and discover what happens when some of the basic assumptions of the model are relaxed or violated in some way. The user should gain some understanding of the sorts of things that complicate the application of the technique in situations that are more realistic than those assumed by Knipling in his simple analyses.

The simulation takes place on the Caribbean island of CuraÁao where Knipling first demonstrated the feasibility of sterile insect release. The island is divided into 2 or 3 zones, with differing numbers of cells (or levels of spatial resolution) in each zone.

The simulation can be either deterministic or stochastic. There are four factors which can be made density dependent: the probability that a female will mate, fecundity, survival, and the probability of emigration from a cell.

The Native Insect Population dialog box allows you to set the initial populations of native insects in each of 3 zones and to set the native population parameters, including the aggregation index, the probability of emigration, the proportion of females, the eggs per female and the survival to adult rate.

Languages:

English

Media Format:

Graphics/Photos, Other, Text/HTML, Downloadable docs

Technical Requirements:

Windows 2000Windows 98

Conditions of Use:

Custom License