WAVES OF EXTINCTION FROM STERILE INSECT RELEASE

Employing theoretical models, we show that the sterile insect release method (SIRM) can give rise to traveling waves of fertile insects. The velocity of these waves depends critically upon the density of steril e insects (and thus upon the rate at which sterile individuals are bei ng released into the environment). When the sterile density is suffici ently low, the traveling wave advances, giving rise to an invasion. Ho wever, when the sterile density exceeds a critical threshold, the wave reverses direction, thereby retreating and giving rise to local extin ction. Both analytical (regular perturbation) methods and numerical me thods are used to determine wave velocities and wave profiles. This is the first time traveling wave solutions have been shown for the SIRM.