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tags: - system-architecture - environmental-driver - pest-comparison - core-doctrine

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Environmental Driver Matrix — Key Protected Crop Pests

This page compares structural environmental sensitivity across major pest groups.

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Driver	Thrips	Spider Mite	Aphids	Primary Bias Lever
Temperature	Strong acceleration >22°C	Strong acceleration >20°C	Strong acceleration 18–24°C	Environment
Heatwaves	Rapid escalation in flowering crops	Structural outbreak risk	Faster colony reproduction	Environment
Humidity (High RH)	Slight suppression	Suppresses population	Little effect	Environment
Humidity (Low RH)	Increases movement + feeding	Strong acceleration + predator suppression	Minor influence	Environment
VPD (High) / Dry air	Increases activity; stress amplifies damage	Primary structural accelerator (heat + VPD)	Indirect (stress + flush)	Environment

| Flowering Stage | Major trigger | Minor | Moderate (flush effect) | Timing | | Vegetative Flush | Minor | Minor | Major trigger | Plant | | Predator Dependence | Orius critical | Phytoseiulus critical | Parasitoids critical | Timing | | Outbreak Pattern | Timing-sensitive | Structural collapse | Reproductive expansion | Environment | | Hotspot Behaviour | Distributed + flower-focused | Colony-based | Colony clusters on flush | Timing |

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Structural Summary

Spider mite = VPD-biased structural instability (heat + dry air sensitive)
Thrips = heat + flowering timing instability
Aphids = plant-growth driven reproductive instability (flush-driven)

This distinction guides environmental bias correction.

For a system overview see: - Why Pest Outbreaks Happen - Ipm Risk Engine — Environmental Driver Weighting (Protected Crops)