Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand.

Georgia Paterson,George L W Perry,David Maxwell Suckling,James T S Walker

doi:10.3390/insects10100335

Georgia Paterson, George L W Perry + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100335

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Journal: Insects	Publication Date: Oct 9, 2019
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Auckland, Plant & Food Research

Abstract

New, more socially-acceptable technologies are being developed to suppress horticultural pests, because suppression is technically difficult with current technologies, especially in urban areas. One technique involves the release of sterile insects to prevent offspring in the next generation. This technology involves aerial or ground release systems, but this could also create issues for the public. This study investigated community perceptions of a recently-introduced response to codling moth control in New Zealand—Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Community attitudes to SIT were examined in Hastings, New Zealand, in April, 2018. Eighty-six detailed interviews were undertaken with a random sample of households. This community was very willing (98% agreement) to host a sex pheromone trap in their gardens, and condoned regular visits to monitor traps. Attitudes to SIT were very positive (98% in favor). Once explained, the concept of using unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver sterile insects was also acceptable (98%) to the community. Use of unmanned aerial vehicles to release sterile insects during a hypothetical incursion response of an exotic fruit fly was also supported at 98% by respondent householders. Investigation of community attitudes can be valuable to guide practitioners in determining suitable technologies before an area-wide programme is launched.

Highlights

Globalisation is leading to an upsurge in insect invasions into new jurisdictions [1,2], leading to attempts to prevent their establishment [3]
The designed, in part, to answer questions raised by scientists from The New Zealand Institute for Plant survey was designed, in part, to answer questions raised by scientists from The New Zealand and Food Research Limited currently testing the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) on private orchard land, using novel unmanned
The attitudes, values and beliefs of the Hastings sought on a range of sought topics including their about pesttheir species, their about relationship to horticulture, community were on a range ofconcern topics including concern pest species, their whether they had a host tree on their property and their attitudes to proposed control methods relationship to horticulture, whether they had a host tree on their property and their attitudes to involving traps andmethods the SIT. involving traps and the SIT

Summary

Introduction

Globalisation is leading to an upsurge in insect invasions into new jurisdictions [1,2], leading to attempts to prevent their establishment [3]. Invasive species are an increasing threat to food production and ecosystem health as a consequence of global trade and climate change [4,5]. The apparently unstoppable increase in globalisation of trade together with climate warming results in a significantly increased risk of pest species incursion and establishment [10]. While nearly 100 countries have undertaken one or more insect pest eradication programmes in response to specific threats, some jurisdictions have been involved in many responses [11].

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