Spatio-temporal dynamics of mosquito populations under predation

Abstract In this study, we analyze a stage-structured entomological model featuring two prey and one predator species, representing the dynamics of a wild-type mosquito population. Our findings indicate that mosquitoes experiencing the Allee effect are susceptible to population collapse. Through linear analysis, the Turing instability conditions are derived for spatio-temporal models with and without non-local interactions. Validation of these conditions confirms the potential for stationary, spatially heterogeneous distributions across all three species. Additionally, the existence of prolonged transient dynamics within specific parameter domains is demonstrated, highlighting the importance of suppressing mosquito oviposition through predator activity. Notably, the chaotic oscillations observed in the temporal model are significantly mitigated when the populations are allowed to move within their habitat, enabling prey species to access nearby resources.