Integrated modelling of the life cycle and aeroecology of wind-borne pests in temporally-variable spatially-heterogeneous environment

•Integrating population ecology and aeroecology is important for understanding species that depend on aerial habitats.•Sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) is an economic pest of sorghum with ability of long-distance, wind-aided dispersal.•A model has been developed to integrate local pest population dynamics and long-range, multi-generational dispersal of aphids.•The model is capable to forecast multi-generational infestations of field crops over several successive years.•Models show promise as a component of adaptive areawide pest management programs.