A temperature dependent mathematical model of the colony and budding characteristics of the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile
Graduation Date
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Environmental Systems: Mathematical Modeling, 2008
Committee Chair Name
Sharon L. Brown
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Argentine ant, Mathematics, Temperature dependent, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Mathematical modeling, Mathematical modeling, Invasive species
Abstract
The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, is a highly invasive insect affecting many areas of Mediterranean climate throughout the world. The Argentine ant has damaged biodiversity in invaded areas by disrupting seed dispersal and pollination, and endangering other animal species. This ant is also a household and agricultural nuisance, invading homes and living mutualistically with agricultural pests. Control of the Argentine ant has proven to be difficult because this species is polygynous. Being polygynous allows the Argentine ant to reproduce and spread rapidly. Entomologists are working diligently to understand this invasive species so that control efforts can be established. Much of the Argentine ant's behavior appears to correlate with temperature. Thus, we have constructed a temperature dependent system of ordinary differential equations that simulates worker and brood numbers within a single colony. The second model adds stochasticity to the temperature in order to look at the effects of temperature variance on the one year population levels produced by the model.
Recommended Citation
Moreno, Michelle Renee, "A temperature dependent mathematical model of the colony and budding characteristics of the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile" (2008). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 992.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/992
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/6682x622n