Determining the influence of organism level processes on the population dynamics of Bactrocera tryoni

Abstract

The Queensland fruit fly is a major horticultural pest in Australia, infesting over 100 fruit species. This thesis examines the impact of host fruit quality on the population dynamics of this pest. The quality of the host fruit affects the growth and development of larvae, which in turn influences adult traits such as size, fecundity, longevity, and flight, potentially impacting population dynamics. An individual-based model was used to simulate population dynamics in various host quality landscapes, revealing that the availability and quality of fruit significantly influences the population dynamics. The model has potential applications in on-farm management of fruit flies.