CMACSIM, a Temperature-Dependent Predator-Prey Model Simulating the Impact of Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer) 1 on Green Peach Aphids 2 on Potato Plants 3

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Abstract
A FORTRAN-based simulation model quantifying the interaction of Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer)(Homoptera: Aphididae), populations on potato plants was developed. The model consisted of a GPA population, which was assumed to grow exponentially with time (h). Feeding of C. maculata adults and larvae was included. The C. maculata population was assumed to be composed of eggs, larvae, pupae, prereproductive and reproductive adults. Natural mortality of C. maculata eggs, larvae, and pupae was included, and C. maculata adults were assumed to die of old age after 1975 h. Cannibalism of C. maculata eggs, larvae, and pupae by C. maculata larvae was also included, as was a minimum number of GPA required for C. maculata to oviposit. The model satisfactorily described the change in GPA, and larval and adult C. maculata populations with time when tested against a 1977 data set. Model simulations indicated that temperature can greatly affect the predator-prey population dynamics.