Spread Of Insects Research Articles

Field efficacy of brief exposure of adults of six storage pests to nitrogen-controlled atmospheres

The efficacy of a brief exposure (1, 7, and 10 days) to a nitrogen-controlled atmosphere (N-CA) for major storage<br />pests in a field validation study in the Czech Republic is reported. The main goal was to estimate how quickly the<br />mobile adult stages of six species of storage beetles (Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Tribolium<br />confusum, Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus granarius, and Sitophilus oryzae) are killed after introduction of the<br />infested commodity to prevent their further spread to the surrounding storage bins. The trials were conducted in a<br />metal bin containing 25 t of seeds using the system of continual top-down nitrogen filling to replace the oxygen. The<br />composition of N-CA in the silo was measured continually. The target N-CA concentration (i.e., ≤ 1% O<sub>2</sub> and 99% N<sub>2</sub>)<br />was reached at the bottom of the silo after 12 h of the purging phase of nitrogen silo filling. A one-day exposure to<br />N-CA corresponds to top-down filling, which initially gives higher concentrations of N2 in the upper than in the lower<br />part of the silo: low efficacy was reached at the silo bottom (0–33.3%), while higher efficacy (16.7–100%) was reached<br />at the top of the silo bin. The mortality variation at both locations was species dependent: the most sensitive was O.<br />surinamensis, and the least sensitive were S. granarius and S. oryzae. Seven days of N-CA exposure led to 100% mortality<br />of all tested species except for S. granarius (96.7% mortality at the bottom), while 10 days of N-CA exposure led<br />to 100% mortality of all adults located at both the bottom and the top of the silo. This experiment showed that one<br />day of exposure to N-CA caused significant mortality to reduce the spread of insects from the top of the silo but not<br />from the silo bottom, and 10 days of exposure completely prevent the adult mobile pest stages of all tested species<br />from spreading from the treated silo and causing cross-infestation in the storage facility.

Inferring stratified parasitoid dispersal mechanisms and parameters from coarse data using mathematical and Bayesian methods.

Biological invasions have movement at the core of their success. However, due to difficulties in collecting data, medium- and long-distance dispersal of small insects has long been poorly understood and likely to be underestimated. The agricultural release of parasitic hymenoptera, a group of wasps that are critical for biological pest control, represents a rare opportunity to study the spread of insects on multiple spatial scales. As these insects are typically less than 1 mm in size and are challenging to track individually, a first-time biocontrol release will provide a known spatial position and time of initial release for all individuals that are subsequently collected. In this paper, we develop and validate a new mathematical model for parasitoid wasp dispersal from point release, as in the case of biocontrol. The model is derived from underlying stochastic processes but is fully deterministic and admits an analytical solution. Using a Bayesian framework, we then fit the model to an Australian dataset describing the multi-scale wind-borne dispersal pattern of Eretmocerus hayati Zolnerowich & Rose (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Our results confirm that both local movements and long-distance wind dispersal are significant to the movement of parasitoids. The model results also suggest that low velocity winds are the primary indicator of dispersal direction on the field scale shortly after release, and that average wind data may be insufficient to resolve long-distance movement given inherent nonlinearities and heterogeneities in atmospheric flows. The results highlight the importance of collecting wind data when developing models to predict the spread of parasitoids and other tiny organisms.

Specialty fruit production in the Pacific Northwest: adaptation strategies for a changing climate

Specialty fruit crops represent a substantial portion of the value of agricultural production in the Pacific Northwest. Climate change may threaten water sources, lengthen the dry season, raise temperatures during both the winter chilling period and the growing season, and facilitate the spread of fungal diseases and insects. Such changes have the potential to substantially reduce net returns due to increased input costs and altered yields and product quality. Many management strategies that are already being used to prolong growing seasons in marginal production areas and to improve production and quality in established production regions may also be useful as adaptation strategies under a changing climate. These strategies mostly involve moderating temperatures and controlling or compensating for mismatches between phenology and seasonal weather conditions.

The phylogenetic relationship and cross-infection of nucleopolyhedroviruses between the invasive winter moth (Operophtera brumata) and its native congener, Bruce spanworm (O. bruceata)

Disease can affect biological invasions by acting as either a synergist or antagonist. Disease-mediated invasions have important implications for understanding the spread of invasive insects, which cost billions of dollars in damages annually. One such non-native, destructive insect is the winter moth, Operophtera brumata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), which causes defoliation and mortality of deciduous trees in its introduced range. In the northeastern United States, winter moth populations overlap with a native congener, Bruce spanworm, Operophtera bruceata Hulst. Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), appears to be an important natural enemy in Bruce spanworm and there is some evidence that the NPV infection found in winter moth in the northeastern U.S. may originate from Bruce spanworm. By sequencing two viral genes (the polyhedrin and p74 genes) from field-collected larvae of both species, we found that the winter moth virus (OpbuNPV) is distinct from the virus from Bruce spanworm (OpbrNPV). However, the two viruses do constitute a clade within the Alphabaculovirus Group 2 NPVs, indicating that they are more similar to each other than they are to other lepidopteran viruses, even other geometrid-derived NPVs. As far as we know, this is the first report of sequences from an NPV from Bruce spanworm. Results from cross infection trials suggest that cross infection is uncommon if it occurs at all. Our results show that these two closely related species have distinct viruses and, unlike previous suggestions, Bruce spanworm virus is not mediating the winter moth invasion.

The Speed of Invasion: Rates of Spread for Thirteen Exotic Forest Insects and Diseases

Invasive, exotic insects and diseases have a devastating effect on North American forests. The rate of spread, or range expansion, is one of the main determinants of an invasive organism’s impact, and can play a major role in structuring management response options. To better understand how exotic organisms have spread through our forests, this study employs a consistent, rigorous analytical framework to analyze a comprehensive geospatial database for the spread of seven exotic insects and six diseases. This study includes new data for six insects and two diseases in combination with five invasive species previously analyzed using the same technique. The quantile regression analysis of over 3000 records of infestation over the preceding century show that the rate of spread of invasive forest insects and diseases ranges from 4.2 km·year−1 to 57.0 km·year−1. The slowest disease spread was white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) at 7.4 km·year−1 while the most rapid disease spread was chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) at 31.3 km·year−1. The slowest insect spread was balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae) (4.2 km·year−1) while the fastest was emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) at 57.0 km·year−1. Species that can fly long distances or are vectored by flying insects have spread faster than those that are passively dispersed. This analysis highlights the difficulty of estimating spread rates from studies of individual dispersal or flight distances, but the estimated spread rates in this study are generally in line with previous estimates.

Increasing numbers and intercontinental spread of invasive insects on eucalypts

Native to Australasia, Eucalyptus (sensu lato) is one of the most planted genera of trees in the world. However, the sustainability of Eucalyptus species as plantation trees in non-native areas is increasingly threatened by the introduction and spread of Eucalyptus-feeding insects from Australia. We examine patterns and potential trends with respect to the global spread of Eucalyptus-feeding insects. Likely pathways of introduction and drivers of the rapid distribution of these insects, as well as management options are considered. The rate of introductions is shown to have increased nearly fivefold since the 1980s. As a result, the number of non-native pests of eucalypts outside of Australia has doubled in less than three decades. Furthermore, the rate of secondary spread among continents has also increased. Surprisingly, we found no association between area planted and the number of pests or new introductions. Only a small number of countries have been the points of first detection outside the native range; these countries have acted as bridgeheads to other regions. Quarantine regulations aimed at reducing the spread of invasive organisms appear to be ineffective at a global scale, and pathways allowing these invasions to occur are poorly understood or unknown. An expanded suite of management options are needed to provide resilience against the rapid accrual and homogenization of eucalypt pests, thereby ensuring the sustainability of eucalypt forestry worldwide.

Potential hepatoprotection exerted by ginseng against chlorpyrifos-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.

Insecticides gained public reputation and widespread application to control the spread of different insects in various habitats. However, the deleterious effects of these chemicals could not be ignored and should be dealt seriously. The present work was conducted to test the efficacy of the natural plant ginseng in alleviating toxicity of chlorpyrifos. The organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos induced hepatotoxicity and changes in some serum biochemical parameters. The liver of rats administered chlorpyrifos manifested cytoplasmic vacuolization, leucocytic infiltration, hemorrhage and remarkable dilatation of veins. The nuclear chromatin was condensed. There was a significant increase in alanin aminotransferase (ALT) while there was a significant decrease in albumin, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum of treated rats. Treating animals with ginseng was found in this study to alleviate hepatotoxicity and restore the levels of the tested serum parameters to nearly normal values.

An agent-based modeling approach to represent infestation dynamics of the emerald ash borer beetle

Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a bottom-up approach capable of operationalizing complex systems. The approach can be used to reproduce the spatio-temporal patterns in ecological processes such as insect infestation by representing individual dynamics and interactions between “agents” and their environment from which complex behavior emerges. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis; EAB) is an invasive species native to south-east Asia which has infested and killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus sp.) across the eastern United States as well as Ontario and Quebec in Canada. Efforts to model the insect's behavior are ongoing, but current models are limited to approaches that do not address the complexity that emerges from the dynamics between individual beetles and their varying spatial environments. The objective of this study is to develop an ABM to represent the interactions of the EAB and the emerging spatio-temporal pattern of the insect spread. The model is implemented on real datasets from the Town of Oakville, Ontario, Canada from 2008 to 2010. Tree inventory and land use data acquired from the Town of Oakville were used to represent the spatial environment of the EAB agents. The EAB interactions are implemented in the model as subroutines, each representing a stage in the EAB life cycle using a temporal resolution of one day. Model verification was performed based on the literature documenting the life cycle processes of the EAB to represent EAB behavior. The model is calibrated using the rate of spread observed in the Town of Oakville from 2008 to 2009 and is validated using datasets delimiting the spatial extent and severity of EAB infestation in 2009. When comparing simulated and observed data, there is a 72% agreement for the locations of the infestation. This indicates that the developed ABM approach offers a model able to capture the complex behavior of EAB where both the spatial extent and severity of infestation are simulated realistically. The model generates insights about the underlying processes governing EAB behavior, highlights areas of uncertainty in modeling the complex spatio-temporal patterns of EAB infestation, and is a useful tool for forest and pest management.

Hybridization and the spread of the apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae), in the northwestern United States.

Hybridization may be an important process interjecting variation into insect populations enabling host plant shifts and the origin of new economic pests. Here, we examine whether hybridization between the native snowberry-infesting fruit fly Rhagoletis zephyria (Snow) and the introduced quarantine pest R. pomonella (Walsh) is occurring and may aid the spread of the latter into more arid commercial apple-growing regions of central Washington state, USA. Results for 19 microsatellites implied hybridization occurring at a rate of 1.44% per generation between the species. However, there was no evidence for increased hybridization in central Washington. Allele frequencies for seven microsatellites in R. pomonella were more ‘R. zephyria-like’ in central Washington, suggesting that genes conferring resistance to desiccation may be adaptively introgressing from R. zephyria. However, in only one case was the putatively introgressing allele from R. zephyria not found in R. pomonella in the eastern USA. Thus, many of the alleles changing in frequency may have been prestanding in the introduced R. pomonella population. The dynamics of hybridization are therefore complex and nuanced for R. pomonella, with various causes and factors, including introgression for a portion, but not all of the genome, potentially contributing to the pest insect's spread.

Control of virus diseases of citrus.

Citrus is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia and horticulturally desirable clonal selections have been clonally cultivated for hundreds of years. While some citrus species have nucellar embryony, most cultivation of citrus has been by clonal propagation to ensure that propagated plants have the same traits as the parent selection. Clonal propagation also avoids juvenility, and the propagated plants produce fruit sooner. Because of the clonal propagation of citrus, citrus has accumulated a large number of viruses; many of these viruses are asymptomatic until a susceptible rootstock and/or scion is encountered. The viruses reported to occur in citrus will be summarized in this review. Methods of therapy to clean selected clones from viruses will be reviewed; the use of quarantine, clean stock, and certification programs for control of citrus viruses and other strategies to control insect spread citrus viruses, such as mild strain cross-protection and the use of pest management areas will be discussed.

Comparative importance of infection routes for banana Xanthomonas wilt and implications on disease epidemiology and management

Banana Xanthomonas wilt (XW), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), results in up to 100% yield loss. The efficiency of XW infection through the corm, pseudostem inoculation at bunch harvest, leaf, female and male bud bracts was evaluated in banana plants. The male and female bud bract inoculations caused the highest incidence (81% and 93%) compared with 0–44% for harvest and corm inoculations. Naturally mediated insect transmission in ‘Pisang Awak’ resulted in up to 99% disease incidence. Floral inoculations and natural insect-mediated infections only resulted in floral symptoms. Symptom development in insect-transmitted infections simulated artificial male bud inoculations, confirming the male bud bract wounds as the main entry points for insect vector-mediated infections, thus reaffirming the importance of continuous and timely debudding to limit insect spread. Leaf and harvest inoculations resulted only in leaf symptoms, while corm inoculations resulted in late floral symptoms. Floral inoculations were the main mode of infection. Single leaf inoculations resulted in 30% plant mortality despite 100% incidence, with 70% of plants recovering and bearing visibly healthy bunches and suckers. Thus, detection of a diseased plant in a mat shouldn’t warrant the destruction of the whole mat. A significant difference in Xcm cfu g−1 was observed between symptomatic and symptomless leaves, suggesting that practices that keep the bacterial load below the disease-causing threshold could benefit the plant. This could explain the observed success of XW control through removal of single diseased stems in farms.

A mathematical approach to simulate spatio-temporal patterns of an insect-pest, the corn rootworm Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in intercropping systems

We report on the use of a spatially explicit model and clustering analysis in order to investigate habitat manipulation as a strategy to regulate natural population densities of the insect-pest Diabrotica speciosa. Habitat manipulation involved four major agricultural plants used as hosts by this herbivore to compose intercropping landscapes. Available biological parameters for D. speciosa on bean, soybean, potato and corn obtained under laboratory conditions were used to group the homogeneous landscapes, composed by each host plant, by a similarity measure of host suitability either for larval survival and development, and adult survival and fecundity. The results pointed corn as the most dissimilar culture. Therefore, intercropping corn with any other crop system tested could reduce insect spread through landscape. This was proved using a cellular automata model which simulate the physiological and behavioural traits of this insect, and also different spatial configurations of the intercropping. Spatio-temporal patterns obtained by simulations demonstrated that the availability of corn bordering the field edge, which are areas more likely to invasion, is key for insect population control.

Foreclosures and Invasive Insect Spread: The Case of Asian Citrus Psyllid

AbstractHuman economic activity is considered to be an important factor in exacerbating the speed of invasive species spread, but may also play an important role in preventing it. In this study, we investigate the role of home foreclosure in the spread of Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) throughout residential areas of Southern California. We find that foreclosures are indeed a significant factor in explaining ACP spread, even after controlling for other human and environmental effects. Our results suggest that human economic activity may be more important in controlling the spread of invasive species than previously realized, and that the external costs of the foreclosure problem may also be underestimated.

Ecophysiological responses and vulnerability to other pathologies in European chestnut coppices, heavily infested by the Asian chestnut gall wasp

Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, the Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW), is an invasive alien species, which is causing alarm in the chestnut stands of Italy and Europe. It has extensively colonised the Castanea sativa Miller range throughout the country and highly conspicuous, alarming symptoms have appeared on plants. In addition, chestnut trees growing in Mediterranean climates are more frequently subjected to stressful environmental conditions, such as hot-dry periods or extreme weather events, which compromise both yield and productivity. It will be useful, therefore, to gain further insights into the biotic and abiotic disturbances affecting chestnut and their interactions in order to develop management strategies to counteract the loss of productivity.This study was aimed at investigating the effects of ACGW on European chestnut ecophysiology during warm, dry summer conditions, typical of Mediterranean environments. We studied the functional and structural responses of young chestnut sprouts in a coppice stand in the Apennines (Tuscany, Italy), focussing in particular on photosynthetic capacity, leaf morphology, shoot growth, and hydraulic architecture. We also assessed the vulnerability of sprouts to chestnut blight Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) Barr. ACGW is a gall-making insect with strong dispersal potential. It spends its larval stages inside the chestnut buds and grows to adult state inside galls, which are located mainly on the main leaf axis or petiole. In this study, we found a reduction of about 30% in CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance in the blades of galled leaves. PSII efficiency (ΦPO) was not negatively affected by the presence of galls, although lower electron transport to PSI acceptors (ΔVIP) was found in galled leaves, which could have negative consequences for NADP+ production and carboxylation.ACGW strongly affected the photosynthesizing leaf area, which was reduced by about 40% compared with a non-galled leaf. Carbohydrate concentration was higher in leaf blades while galls were richer in starch.Shoot vigour was affected by a massive presence of ACGW, resulting in a smaller leaf area and biomass, and very low capacity for water transport through the wood xylem compared with vigorous shoots. In fact, compared with vigorous shoots, non-vigorous shoots had a higher percentage of impaired xylem conductive area (5.7% vs. 1.3%) and a higher number of obstructed vessels per mm2 (31.2 vs. 7.4).Assessment of shoot vulnerability to chestnut blight revealed a prevalence of hypovirulence in blight infections, probably not directly due to ACGW, but instead related to loss of vigour in the shoot. However, ACGW could play a role in the appearance and spread of Gnomoniopsis sp., which was the most common endophyte on vigorous and non-vigorous shoots and the main coloniser of old galls.ACGW is opening up unpredictable scenarios in European chestnut forests, which are also susceptible to environmental stress factors. Therefore, the simultaneous study of disturbance dynamics and chestnut response, and advanced monitoring of insect spread and climate change would allow timely and effective implementation of adaptive forest management strategies.

Crop Diversification Affects Biological Pest Control

Crop monocultures encourage the multiplication and spread of pest insects on massive and uniform crop. Numerous studies have evaluated the impact of plant diversification on pests and beneficial arthropods population dynamics in agricultural ecosystems and provided some evidence that habitat manipulation techniques like intercropping can significantly influence pest control. This paper describes various potential options of habitat management and design that enhance ecological role of biodiversity in agroecosystems. The focus of this review is the application and mechanisms of biodiversity in agricultural systems to enhance pest management.

HANGING BASKETS OF PETUNIAS INCREASE REVENUE IN HIGH TUNNEL TOMATO PRODUCTION

High tunnels offer a vertical production environment that is often not fully utilized by vegetable growers in the Northeast United States. Hanging baskets of petunias (Petunia × hybrid 'Shock Wave') were grown above an in-ground tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicon ‘BHN 589’) in a 445.9 m2 high tunnel in 2010 for evaluation of impact on Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), yield in the tomato understory, and economic performance. Baskets were hung in two blocks of densities of 1.5 m2 per basket (high density) and 3 m2 per basket (low density). A 44.6 m2 portion of the tunnel was left without baskets as a control. Tomatoes grown without any baskets overhead (control) gave a mean yield of 11.17 kg per plant compared to 10.97 kg per plant for those with a low density of baskets and 11.34 kg per plant under the high density; differences were not significant. The baskets received an average price of $ 8.09 at wholesale auction, netting $ 3.50/basket. Hanging petunia baskets would give a net return of $ 525 per 445.9 m2 tunnel at the low density or $ 1,050 at the high density. PAR was measured (μmol m-2 s-1) with a quantum meter from one random flagged location under the baskets in each block, as well as the control, and outside of the high tunnel, weekly. Season long PAR values were not significantly different, although the differences between treatments increased over time, with high density baskets reducing PAR compared to low density and control blocks. Thus the production of hanging baskets above a tomato crop increased the net return of the tunnel without negatively affecting tomato yield. However, the potential spread of insects and diseases between the flowers and vegetables make this a high risk endeavor for commercial vegetable growers.

Dynamics of nonpersistent aphid-borne viruses in lettuce crops covered with UV-absorbing nets

Aphid-transmitted viruses frequently cause severe epidemics in lettuce grown under Mediterranean climates. Spatio-temporal dynamics of aphid-transmitted viruses and its vector were studied on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown under tunnels covered by two types of nets: a commercial UV-absorbing net (Bionet) and a Standard net. A group of plants infected by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, family Bromoviridae, genus Cucumovirus) and Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV, family Potyviridae, genus Potyvirus) was transplanted in each plot. The same virus-infected source plants were artificially infested by the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas). Secondary spread of insects was weekly monitored and plants were sampled for the detection of viruses every two weeks. In 2008, the infection rate of both CMV and LMV were lower under the Bionet than under the Standard cover, probably due to the lower population density and lower dispersal rate achieved by M. euphorbiae. However, during spring of 2009, significant differences in the rate of infection between the two covers were only found for LMV six weeks after transplant. The spatial distribution of the viruses analysed by SADIE methodology was “at random”, and it was not associated to the spatial pattern of the vector. The results obtained are discussed analyzing the wide range of interactions that occurred among UV-radiation, host plant, viruses, insect vector and environmental conditions. Our results show that UV-absorbing nets can be recommended as a component of an integrated disease management program to reduce secondary spread of lettuce viruses, although not as a control measure on its own.

Life: Incestuous ant escapies inbreeding: Unorthodox family structure may have helped insect spread

Science NewsVolume 179, Issue 5 p. 14-14 In the News Life: Incestuous ant escapies inbreeding: Unorthodox family structure may have helped insect spread Susan Milius, Susan MiliusSearch for more papers by this author Susan Milius, Susan MiliusSearch for more papers by this author First published: 18 February 2011 https://doi.org/10.1002/scin.5591790515AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume179, Issue526 February 2011Pages 14-14 RelatedInformation

Research Regarding the Influence of Temperature and Humidity on the Effectives of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte in Sibiu County between 2001 – 2009

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Cont belonging to Coleoptera order, Cheysomelidae family, also named “The Western Corn Rootworm” represents one of the most dangerous pests for the corn cultures (Rosca C., 1999). In Europe it settled first in the corn culture nearby Beograd, and then the insect spread its area migrating to the nearby zones, conquering new territories. In Romania, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera was recorded for the first time in 1996 in Nadlag – Arad zone (Antonie and Neagu, 2008).

Unveiling human-assisted dispersal mechanisms in invasive alien insects: Integration of spatial stochastic simulation and phenology models

Capturing the spread of biological invasions in heterogeneous landscapes is a complex modelling task where information on both dispersal and population dynamics needs to be integrated. Spatial stochastic simulation and phenology models have rarely been combined to assist in the study of human-assisted long-distance dispersal events. Here we develop a process-based spatially explicit landscape-extent simulation model that considers the spread and detection of invasive insects. Natural and human-assisted dispersal mechanisms are modelled with an individual-based approach using negative exponential and negative power law dispersal kernels and gravity models. The model incorporates a phenology sub-model that uses daily temperature grids for the prediction and timing of the population dynamics in each habitat patch. The model was applied to the study of the invasion by the important maize pest western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera ssp . virgifera in Europe. We parameterized and validated the model using maximum likelihood and simulation methods from the historical invasion of WCR in Austria. WCR was found to follow stratified dispersal where international transport networks in the Danube basin played a key role in the occurrence of long-distance dispersal events. Detection measures were found to be effective and altitude had a significant effect on limiting the spread of WCR. Spatial stochastic simulation combined with phenology models, maximum likelihood methods and predicted versus observed regression showed a high degree of flexibility that captured the salient features of WCR spread in Austria. This modelling approach is useful because it allows to fully exploit and the often limited and heterogeneous information available regarding the population dynamics and dispersal of alien invasive insects.