Global range expansion of pest Lepidoptera requires socially acceptable solutions

D M Suckling,K A Bloem,J E Carpenter,M J B Vreysen,P Rendon,D E Conlong

doi:10.1007/s10530-016-1325-9

D M Suckling, K A Bloem + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-016-1325-9

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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.

Highlights

In the past decade, numerous invasive insect pest species have emerged and continue to emerge as a threat to food production and ecosystem health as a consequence of global trade and climate change (Levine and D’Antonio 2003; Liebhold et al 2016)
As part of a project identifying factors affecting outcomes from arthropod eradication efforts (Liebhold et al 2016; Tobin et al 2014), a global eradication database called ‘‘GERDA’’ (Kean et al 2016) has recorded 28 lepidopteran species that were the target of 144 known government-led incursion responses (Table 1; Fig. 1), with effort spread across 12 moth families, dominated by the Lymantriinae and Tortricidae
The use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) has been limited to only a few operational programs against Lepidoptera for long term pest suppression or eradication (Bloem et al 2005) but assessment of moth quality was investigated on a wider range of species (Simmons et al 2010; Vreysen et al 2016)

Summary

Introduction

Numerous invasive insect pest species have emerged and continue to emerge as a threat to food production and ecosystem health as a consequence of global trade and climate change (Levine and D’Antonio 2003; Liebhold et al 2016). The ongoing area-wide suppression of codling moth in apple and pear orchards of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada has used the SIT along with other tactics (Bloem et al 2007b) and there is potential to expand this approach for pest management in Canada, Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.

Results

Conclusion