Bifurcation analysis and chaos control for a plant–herbivore model with weak predator functional response

Abstract The interaction between plants and herbivores is one of the most fundamental processes in ecology. Discrete-time models are frequently used for describing the dynamics of plants and herbivores interaction with non-overlapping generations, such that a new generation replaces the old at regular time intervals. Keeping in view the interaction of the apple twig borer and the grape vine, the qualitative behaviour of a discrete-time plant–herbivore model is investigated with weak predator functional response. The topological classification of equilibria is investigated. It is proved that the boundary equilibrium undergoes transcritical bifurcation, whereas unique positive steady-state of discrete-time plant–herbivore model undergoes Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. Numerical simulation is provided to strengthen our theoretical discussion