Dynamics of a Coccinellids-Aphids Model with Stage Structure in Predator Including Maturation and Gestation Delays

Abstract

This work studies a three-dimensional predator–prey model with gestation delay and stage structure between aphidophagous coccinellids and aphid pests, where the interaction between mature coccinellids and aphids is inscribed by Crowley–Martin functional response function, and immature coccinellids and aphids act in the form of Holling-I type. We prove the positivity and boundedness of the solution of the nondelayed system and analyze its equilibrium point, local asymptotic stability, and global stability. In addition to the delays, the critical values of Hopf bifurcation occurring for different parameters are also found from the numerical simulation. The stability of the delayed system and Hopf bifurcation with different delays as parameters are also discussed. Our model analysis shows that the time delay essentially governs the system’s dynamics, and the stability of the system switches as delays increase. We also investigate the direction and stability of the Hopf bifurcation using the normal form theory and center manifold theorem. Finally, we perform computer simulations and depict diagrams to support our theoretical results.