MATHEMATICAL SIMULATION-MODEL OF THE VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR - I - DESCRIPTION OF THE MODEL

A mathematical simulation model was developed for the velvetbean cater pillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, 1818), main Brazilian defoliator pest of soybeans, in order to consolidate existing information and al so to verify research needs. Available information presented in Brazil ian or international literature, plus data recorded in reports of Embr apa were used. Seven submodels were developed to comprise the major si mulation model considering the insect, the soybean plant, migration of moths, insecticide application, predation and parasitism, entomopatho gens and environment. Working hypotheses, equations generated and deve loped, parameters and fundamentals of the mechanisms for study are pre sented. Although without validation, the results furnished by the mode l are considered normal when compared with observed field populations of the insect.