A commentary on the mathematical model of the heterogeneous gypsy moth larva population by G. Dwyer and his co-authors

Abstract

In this commentary I utilize the general methods of the mathematical theory of heterogeneous populations in order to point out an omission in the analysis of the mathematical model in [Dwyer et al (2000), Am Nat, 156(2):105--120], which led to the conclusion in [Elderd et al (2008) Am Nat, 172(6):829--842] that the original model must be replaced with an alternative one because of the new data. I show that more thorough understanding of the underlying model allows twitching the model parameters to account for the observed data.