A method for parameter estimation of stage
specific mortality rate functions for arthropod structured population
is proposed. The application of this method requires three type of
information: stage-frequency data of a sampled population, development
rate function and time evolution of forcing variables affecting
mortality. By means of an individual-based model the number of eggs
produced by the adults is generated starting from the number of
individuals collected at each sampling time. Using a compartmental
model a stage-structured population dynamics is described and compared
with the observations. Nonlinear regression methods based on least
square principle are used to estimate the optimal parameters of the
mortality rate function. As a case study, the parameter estimation of
the temperature-dependent mortality function of olives fruit fly
Bactrocera oleae is presented.
