Multi-agent simulation of Sphenophorus levis infestation and natural biological control with Beauveria bassiana and Steinernema brazilense in sugarcane cultivation

Phytosanitary problems are a matter of crucial importance in the domain of food and bioenergy security and represent a major challenge in sugarcane crops worldwide. In Brazil, Sphenophorus levis is one of the most common pests found in sugarcane fields. Its natural biological controls are the fungus Beauveria bassiana and the nematode Steinernema brazilense. Thus, to assist with actions in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the present study aimed to develop an integrated agent-based model, using the NetLogo software for simulating the population growth and dispersion of S. levis in association with its B. bassiana and S. brazilense entomopathogens in one hectare of sugarcane crops in Pederneiras, São Paulo, southeast of Brazil. Sensitivity analyses were conducted based on upward and downward deviations of key parameters. The results indicated that the model accurately reproduced the infestation rates reported in the literature, and the sensitivity analyses revealed the most influential parameters affecting the pest population dynamics. We believe that the model can be used to simulate different biological control strategies and IPM implementation to attain appropriate control levels and increased sugarcane productivity, as it provided information on the expected dispersal of pests, potential losses, and the restraint on the culture damage achieved with the use of entomopathogens.