Once bitten, twice shy: A modeling framework for incorporating heterogeneous mosquito biting into transmission models

Kyle J.-M. Dahlin, Michael A. Robert, Lauren M. Childs

correcthigh confidence

Category: math.DS
Journal tier: Specialist/Solid
Processed: Sep 28, 2025, 12:56 AM
arXiv Links: Abstract ↗PDF ↗

Audit review

The paper defines ΓI, ΓE, and τE, derives R0 = sqrt((1/(µH+γH))·1^T βH ΛH ΓI τE βB ΛB·B*/KB), and proves DFE stability via the next-generation approach (system (10), forces of infection (8), equation (11), Appendix C) . The candidate solution reproduces the same F–V splitting, block elimination of the mosquito subsystem, and the fundamental-matrix/resolvent identities leading to ΓI and τE, yielding the same R0 and threshold. Minor differences are notational (transposes in ΓI, τE) and a small overstatement: they claim s(J)=ρ(K)−1, whereas the standard result only asserts s(J)<0 iff ρ(K)<1. The core result and proof strategy coincide with Appendix C’s derivation .

Referee report (LaTeX)

\textbf{Recommendation:} minor revisions

\textbf{Journal Tier:} specialist/solid

\textbf{Justification:}

The framework and analysis are sound and useful to the field. The derivation of R0 and the DFE threshold via the next‑generation matrix is correct and clearly organized in Appendix C. Minor editorial improvements would remove small inconsistencies (what counts as a new infection in mosquitoes) and align notation (transpose conventions between main text and appendix), improving readability without altering results.