Agent-based model of aedes aegypti population dynamics

Abstract

The paper presents an agent based model of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and it is focused on simulations of population dynamics and population control strategies. The agents model the main aspects of mosquito's ecology and behavior, while the environmental components are implemented as layer of dynamic elements obeying to physical laws. The main objective of this approach is to provide realistic simulations of insect biologic control strategies, namely population suppression by releasing large amounts of sterile males, such as Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) or Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal gene (RIDL). Model verification is done through simulations analysis of parameters variation and qualitative assessment with existing models and simulations. The use of LAIS simulator proved to be a valuable tool allowing efficient agent based modeling (ABM) and simulations deployment and analysis. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.