Global dynamics of a predator–prey model with time delay and stage structure for the prey

A stage-structured predator–prey system with Holling type-II functional response and time delay due to the gestation of predator is investigated. By analyzing the characteristic equations, the local stability of each of feasible equilibria of the system is discussed and the existence of a Hopf bifurcation at the coexistence equilibrium is established. By means of the persistence theory on infinite dimensional systems, it is proven that the system is permanent if the coexistence equilibrium exists. By using Lyapunov functionals and LaSalle invariant principle, it is shown that the trivial equilibrium is globally stable when both the predator-extinction equilibrium and the coexistence equilibrium are not feasible, and that the predator-extinction equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the coexistence equilibrium does not exist, and sufficient conditions are derived for the global stability of the coexistence equilibrium. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main theoretical results.