Cellular automata approach for investigation of low power light effects onthe dynamics of plant-inhabiting mites

The prey-predator competition is a typical problem exhibited by the dynamic s of phytophagous and predaceous mite population. Biological parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Amblyseius californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are set up in order to establish the fundam ental aspects to be embodied into a simulation model. We introduce the Lotk a-Volterra differential equations as the classic approach to the problem an d present the Cellular-Automata (CA) approach as an alternative one. We rep ort preliminary results which account for a number of interesting features such as: 1) oscillations in time of the population, 2) a link between the p opulations' initial conditions and the obtained solution, 3) the appearance of spatial structures, and 4) the effect on the population dynamics of par ameters which may be linked to photoperiodic and circadian features. Furthe rmore, it is shown that several sophisticated features affecting population s evolution, such as the egg opening time, the sexual maturation time, the limited lifetime, the limited survival capability of predators in fasting c ondition and juvenile mortality can be easily included in a CA-based model.