The Strange Loop Making Parasitic Insects Our Friends

Explore the fascinating intersection of ecology and functional programming in this 40-minute conference talk from Strange Loop. Dive into the history of ecological modeling, starting with the Fibonacci sequence and its connection to rabbit populations. Discover how the Nicholson-Bailey model, developed in 1935, revolutionized the understanding of parasitic wasp and host insect interactions through mutually recursive relationships. Learn about the open-source Python package "Generations," which utilizes functional programming principles to model biological control of invasive species. Gain insights into how these models are applied to real-world scenarios, such as using herbivorous parasites to manage invasive plants. Understand the potential of organic solutions in pest management and ecosystem preservation while minimizing pesticide use. Follow along as the speaker, an Entomology PhD student, shares her expertise in weed biological control, GIS, and programming, demonstrating how interdisciplinary approaches can lead to innovative solutions in environmental science.