Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to develop a mathematical model to simulate mosquito dispersal
and its control taking into account environmental parameters, like wind, temperature, or
landscape elements. We particularly focus on the Aedes albopictus mosquito which is now
recognized as a major vector of human arboviruses, like chikungunya, dengue, or yellow
fever. One way to prevent those epidemics is to control the vector population. Biological
control tools, like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), are of great interest as an alternative to
chemical control tools which are very detrimental to the environment. The success of SIT
is based not only on a good knowledge of the biology of the insect, but also on an accurate
modeling of the insect’s distribution. We consider a compartmental approach and derive
temporal and spatio-temporal models, using Advection–Diffusion–Reaction equations to
model mosquito dispersal. Periodic releases of sterilized males are modeled with an impulse
differential equation. Finally, using the splitting operator approach, and well-suited
numerical methods for each operator, we provide numerical simulations for mosquito
spreading, and test different vector control scenarios. We show that environmental parameters,
like vegetation, can have a strong influence on mosquito distribution and in the
efficiency of vector control tools, like SIT.
