THE ROLE OF COMPUTER-MODELS IN THE GRASSHOPPER INTEGRATED PEST-MANAGEMENT PROJECT

The Grasshopper Integrated Pest Management Project (GHIPM) is a $15 mi llion project initiated in 1986 to identify, develop, and implement ra ngeland grasshopper management tactics within the framework of Integra ted Pest Management (IPM) in the Western United States. Computer simul ation has been used to fulfill many original objectives for GHIPM. For example, models have been developed and/or used to simulate grasshopp er population dynamics, forage growth and destruction, and ranch econo mics. These models also have been used to structure and deliver knowle dge to land managers who make decisions about grasshopper control. In addition, another group of computer simulation studies were developed to probe at basic mechanisms and understanding of rangeland grasshoppe r ecology. For example, an object-oriented simulation is being develop ed that can represent any number of unique grasshopper cohorts for spe cific species, life stages, and disease status. Soil temperature and m oisture are also being simulated to support a grasshopper egg hatch mo del. All of these research models were designed for basic science with a focus on improving management of rangeland grasshoppers.