Oral Presentation Science Protecting Plant Health 2017

Tools, technologies and transdisciplinary science of Area-wide Management of Insects (5016)

Nancy Schellhorn 1 , F Schwarzmueller 1 , A Mankad 1
  1. CSIRO, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, 4102, Australia

Once an exotic pest establishes in a new location, managing the pest to minimize harm becomes the priority. Area-wide management (AWM) programs – the coordinated actions of participants in the region experiencing the problem – have a history of successfully suppressing pests at scale. At the most basic level, theoretical models from the 60s show that coordinated efforts of insecticide use by farmers have resulted in the best chance of suppressing a pest and protecting crops. Particularly successful examples incorporate state-of-the-art tools, such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), that ensure on-going pest suppression; and make use of technologies such as Ecological Modelling to inform the basis of their application. More recently, focus has also expanded to include AWM of natural enemies of pests, and the role of semi-natural habitat. However, there are considerable challenges to achieving a successful AWM programs including: 1. delays in knowing the presence and location of the target pest, 2. heterogeneity of target landscapes and regions, and 3. limited support of stakeholders, the community and the public. In this plenary address, Dr Schellhorn uses examples from the literature, and a case study of QLD fruit fly, and silverleaf whitefly to examine the tools, technologies and transdisciplinary science to meet the challenges and achieve a successful AWM program of a pest incursion.