Using matrix models to explore the influence of temperature on population growth of arthropod pests

1 Population growth of four arthropod pests on agricultural crops, the pea aphid, the bird‐cherry oat aphid, the Mediterranean fruit fly, and the two‐spotted spider mite, was modelled using stage matrix models. 2 Temperature was included as a variable in the model, affecting fecundity, mortality and growth rate. Linear temperature dependence was used to describe fecundity and individual growth rate in the matrix model. Life table data collected at various constant experimental temperatures were used to parameterize the model. 3 Sensitivity analysis identified the most influential demographic parameters determining the growth rate of the population at different temperature regimes. Mortality of young adults and immature stages were found to be the most important parameters in determining population growth for all species presented. However, high temperatures increased the relative impact of individual growth rates and fecundity on the growth of the population.