Invasive Insects: Management Methods Explored

Abstract

Invasive insect species can act as a plague across the globe, capable of vast expansion and rapid, proliferate reproduction. The spread of pathogens of serious diseases such as malaria and Zika virus and damages to agricultural crops number some of the afflictions invasive insects provide to humans alone. Additionally, an escape from predators can fail to keep invasive insects in check, providing potential threats such as extra resource competition to native species when insects invade. A variety of methods are employed to combat these invasive species, each with their own varying levels of success. Here, we explore the more traditional methods of invasive insect pest control, such as pesticides and biological control. In lieu of several unintended consequences resulting from such practices, we suggest some should be abandoned. We evaluate the potential of new techniques, in particular, those with a genetic component, regarding the costs, benefits and possible consequences of implementing them. And finally, we consider which techniques should be the focus of future research, if we truly wish to manage or even eradicate invasive insects in their introduced lands.

Can CRISPR gene drive work in pest and beneficial haplodiploid species?

“…In contrast with the extensive empirical and theoretical studies of CRISPR gene drive in diploid organisms, relatively little is known about this issue in haplodiploids despite their immense global impacts. Collectively, the myriad species of haplodiploids have devastating negative effects as pests in agriculture and invasive species in native habitats, as well as vital positive contributions as pollinators and natural enemies of pests (Biedermann et al., 2019; Crowder & Carrière, 2009; De Barro et al., 2011; He et al., 2020; Macfadyen et al., 2018; McLaughlin & Dearden, 2019; Normark, 2003; Van Leeuwen et al., 2015). The results reported here show that in principle, CRISPR driver alleles can spread in wild populations of haplodiploids across a wide range of conditions.…”

“…Haplodiploids include some of the world's most devastating pests of crops and forests, such as whiteflies in the Bemisia tabaci species complex, thrips (Thysanoptera), spider mites (Tetranychidae), and tree‐killing bark beetles (Scolytinae) (Biedermann et al., 2019; De Barro, Liu, Boykin, & Dinsdale, 2011; He, Guo, Reitz, Lei, & Wu, 2020; Macfadyen et al., 2018; Normark, 2003; Van Leeuwen, Tirry, Yamamoto, Nauen, & Dermauw, 2015). Also, more than 100,000 species of Hymenoptera are haplodiploid, including bees, ants, sawflies, and wasps that are critically important as pollinators, pests, natural enemies of pests, and invasive species in native habitats (McLaughlin & Dearden, 2019; Normark, 2003). Web of Science topic searches identified over 1,000 publications with the term “haplodiploid*” and 633 with “gene drive,” but none with both terms.…”

Disruption of Host-Symbiont Associations for the Symbiotic Control and Management of Pentatomid Agricultural Pests—A Review

“…The family Pentatomidae includes many cosmopolitan and invasive species capable of large infestations, causing intense damage to several crops (Knight and Gurr, 2007;Palumbo et al, 2016;Leskey and Nielsen, 2018;Sosa-Gómez et al, 2020). Invasions in new areas may be very difficult to contain due to the limited knowledge of the pest life cycle in different new environments joint to the absence of effective natural enemies (McLaughlin and Dearden, 2019). Additionally, their actual control mainly relies on the use of chemical insecticides, which often determine hidden costs due to the environmental impact and the effect on human health.…”

Optimizing early detection strategies: defining the effective attraction radius of attractants for emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

“…rapid response) reduces the impact these insects may have and tends to be less costly than managing well-established insect populations (Brockerhoff et al, 2010;Lovett et al, 2016;Tobin, 2018). In areas where a non-native pest is already established, monitoring helps time and target appropriate population controls (Tobin et al, 2009;McLaughlin & Dearden, 2019). Monitoring established populations of insects and detecting newly arrived insect pests is often done using traps Correspondence: Jacob T. Wittman.…”