Global range expansion of pest Lepidoptera requires socially acceptable solutions

Abstract

Caterpillars of key moth pests can cause significant losses in cropping systems worldwide, and globalization is spreading such pests. Failure to control some species can jeopardise the economics of food production. A Global Eradication and Response Database (http://b3.net.nz/gerda) was reviewed on known government-level incursion response programs specific to invasive Lepidoptera. Geographic range expansion of Lepidoptera was evident from 144 incursion response programs targeting 28 species in 10 families. The countries involved in responses to Lepidoptera were USA (104), Australia (8), Canada (7), New Zealand (6), Italy (3), Mexico (2), with the remainder with one programme each (Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, and Spain). Most programs have been undertaken since the 1990’s. Control options exist for the long-term management of Lepidoptera, but most have issues of cost, efficacy or non-target impacts that reduce their acceptance. Pheromone-based technologies are increasingly available and are generally highly compatible with other tactics. The development of tactics for new targets is a major undertaking, although previous programs can be invaluable. New and improved socially-acceptable technologies are needed to counteract range expansion in Lepidoptera, and usually need to be used in combinations to achieve eradication. The sterile insect technique, which involves mass-rearing and release of sterile insects to reduce wild populations of the pest, has been used successfully against a number of lepidopteran species. Several sterile moth programs are under development. New technologies must have a social license to operate in urban areas, where new incursions are frequently detected. This factor is likely to reduce tactical flexibility and increase the complexity of insect eradication.

Will growing invasive arthropod biodiversity outpace our ability for eradication?

“…The significant increase in eradication programs in the last century demonstrates a rapidly rising international burden of severe pests (by definition worthy of eradication if possible), and evidence here points to geographic range expansion of an increasingly diverse range of species, under globalization. Increased biodiversity in eradication targets could also come from technological breakthroughs, as reported for gypsy moth (Tobin et al 2014) and other Lepidoptera (Suckling et al 2016). However, the evidence of increased post-border arthropod biodiversity obtained from the eradication information is the more important outcome, as this is the focus of management effort in the face of expected losses.…”

“…) and other Lepidoptera (Suckling et al. ). However, the evidence of increased post‐border arthropod biodiversity obtained from the eradication information is the more important outcome, as this is the focus of management effort in the face of expected losses.…”

“…The feasibility of eradication can also depend on the type of location, whether urban or rural, since this can affect the social acceptability of tools (Suckling et al. ). Eradication of insects does not make sense where delimitation of the entire population cannot be achieved, or where the pathway for future incursions cannot be closed.…”

“…Consequently, eradication programs have a high threshold for government entry, including an assessment of technical feasibility as well as the political, social, economic, and environmental drivers for a successful outcome. The feasibility of eradication can also depend on the type of location, whether urban or rural, since this can affect the social acceptability of tools (Suckling et al 2016). Eradication of insects does not make sense where delimitation of the entire population cannot be achieved, or where the pathway for future incursions cannot be closed.…”

Trapping Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: “The Nazgȗl” Lure and Kill Nets

“…While expensive and rarely possible, this can be the least cost option if there are sufficient tools available for delimitation and suppression to near extinction, allowing Allee effects to take over at low density [15]. However, the characteristics of suppression tools that would be effective in an eradication, potentially in an urban area, are likely to show some differences from pest management applications in orchards [37,46], so any alternative to broad-cast insecticide applications warrants consideration.…”