Population dynamics and the economics of invasive species management: the greenhouse whitefly in California-grown strawberries.
In agriculture, relatively few efficacious control measures may be available for an invasive pest. In the case of a new insect pest, insecticide use decisions are affected by regulations associated with its registration, insect population dynamics, and seasonal market price cycles. We assess the costs and benefits of environmental regulations designed to regulate insecticide applications on an invasive species. We construct a bioeconomic model, based on detailed scientific data, of management decisions for a specific invasion: greenhouse whiteflies in California-grown strawberries. The empirical model integrates whitefly population dynamics, the effect of whitefly feeding on strawberry yields, and weekly strawberry price. We use the model to assess the optimality of alternative treatment programs on a simulated greenhouse whitefly population. Our results show that regulations may lead growers to "under-spray" when placed in an economic context, and provide some general lessons about the design of optimal invasive species control policies.
McKee
Gregory J
GJ
Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University, 205 A Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58102, USA. gregory.mckee@ndsu.edu
Goodhue
Rachael E
RE
Zalom
Frank G
FG
Carter
Colin A
CA
Chalfant
James A
JA
D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D031985:Fragaria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity; D008954:Models, Biological; D010058:Oviposition; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012098:Reproduction
D007306:Insecticides