A pest risk assessment for Copitarsia spp., Insects associated with importation of commodities into the United States

Abstract

Eggs and larvae of Copitarsia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are frequently intercepted on fresh commodities arriving in the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Copitarsia spp. are not known to occur in the US and, thus, are considered actionable pests by the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS). Whenever the genus is detected in imported goods, shipments must be disinfested, destroyed, or returned to the country of origin. Inspections and interdictions might be unnecessary if Copitarsia spp. were unlikely to establish in the US or if consequences of Copitarsia establishment were trivial. Consequently, we prepared a qualitative pest risk assessment to characterize the degree of risk posed by the genus to US agricultural and natural ecosystems. Published literature was consulted to describe the biology and ecology of the genus. Trade statistics and interception records were summarized to identify pathways of introduction. With this information, experts assigned risk ratings to each of eleven elements identified by USDA, APHIS that pertained to the likelihood or consequence of exotic-pest establishment. The likelihood of Copitarsia spp. becoming established in the US was considered high, but confidence in this assessment was low. Similarly, consequences of Copitarsia establishment were rated high, but confidence in this assessment was moderate. Overall, the assessment revealed that Copitarsia pose a high degree of risk to the US and phytosanitary measures to exclude the pest seem warranted. However, additional research is needed to address critical data gaps and refine assessments of risk for individual species within the genus.

A framework for sustainable invasive species management: Environmental, social, and economic objectives

“…Because of the uncertainty regarding the likelihood species will arrive, establish, and cause harm, objectives should be frequently evaluated and revised as information becomes available. Risk assessments (Landis, 2004), although labor-intensive, provide a means by which managers can evaluate the likelihood of arrival and probable impacts, thus helping to prioritize management (Venette and Gould, 2006). This enables balance between too little effort (species invade without detection) and too much (detections are disproportionately few given the monetary input (Leung, 2002)).…”

Modification of Behavioral Response inCopitarsia decolora(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Due to Pre-Exposure to Sex Pheromone and Host Plant Volatiles

“…In contrast, pre-exposure of S. litoralis to the sexual pheromone (Anderson et al 2003(Anderson et al , 2007 and M. brassicae to volatiles emitted by the oviposition host (Landolt & Molina 1996;Cunningham et al 1998a) resulted in an increase in the attraction response to the stimulus. Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is found throughout much of Central and South America north to Mexico, but not the United States, where it is of quarantine significance due to the threat of large economic losses to horticulture in the United States (Venette & Gould 2006).…”

Inter‐country trade, genetic diversity and bio‐ecological parameters upgrade pest risk maps for the coconut hispid Brontispa longissima

“…from Taiwan and Indonesia (1999) or Vietnam (2000) . These kinds of interception records are valuable, as they unambiguously identify invasion pathways, allow proper targeting of quarantine protocols or biosecurity measures, and permit early detection of new arrivals …”

“…5 These kinds of interception records are valuable, as they unambiguously identify invasion pathways, allow proper targeting of quarantine protocols or biosecurity measures, and permit early detection of new arrivals. 14,37,38 Laboratory trials reveal how B. longissima exhibits a prolonged oviposition period (average 139.84 ± 2.19, max. 180 days), which benefits establishment and spread in novel settings.…”