Unravelling the role of simulation modelling techniques (SMTs) in insect pest management

Simulation modelling techniques (SMTs) are computational methods that imitate or replicate real-world processes, systems, or phenomena to gain insights, test hypotheses, make predictions, or optimise decision-making without needing real-world experimentation. These mathematical modelling techniques have risen to prominence as indispensable tools in insect pest management, enabling the modelling, prediction, and optimisation of pest management strategies. They are pivotal in ensuring the effective implementation of insect pest management by empowering researchers and practitioners to simulate and forecast pest population dynamics, evaluate control measures' effectiveness, and make informed decisions. Applications of simulation techniques in insect pest management are diverse. They include predicting the potential risks of invasion and geographical range expansion of invasive pests, understanding population dynamics of pests under future climate change scenarios, predicting insect pest outbreaks, optimising management strategies, monitoring insect pest resistance, conserving biological control, understanding insect pest behaviour, and assessing economic injury levels of pests and yield losses. Their multifaceted applications empower stakeholders to proactively manage insect pests, minimise environmental impacts, and allocate resources efficiently. In this review, we report the present status of the key simulation techniques used in insect pest management, their construction and validation processes, and explore the potential and prospects of SMTs in advancing modern insect pest management paradigms for sustainable crop protection. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.