This project will develop effective and sustainable strategies to eradicate incursions of priority emergency plant pests. Light brown apple moth (LBAM) has been selected as the test species because its biology is similar to many threatening exotic Tortricid moths. LBAM is relevant to a range of industries, including apples, pears and citrus. The techniques developed will have relevance to the management of LBAM populations in Australia and overseas. The overarching objective of the project is the successful eradication of emergency plant pest insect incursions in ways that minimize negative economic, environmental and social impacts.

What is the biosecurity problem?

Eradication of arthropod emergency plant pest incursions has often relied on destructive technologies such as crop removal and broad spectrum pesticide application. This strategy often incurs a significant cost to industry, the environment and the community. Alternative strategies need to be developed that meet eradication goals while reducing the economic and social impacts.

The main outputs of this project are to:

• trial results and literature review of data to develop a program for integrated eradication of LBAM
• conduct a scoping study to determine potential for non-invasive strategies for eradication of moths and other arthropod emergency plant pests such as beetles, flies and sucking bugs
• enhance capacity to effectively eradicate insect emergency plant pest incursions which provides a high degree of success while minimising negative economic and social impact.

Who will be the end-users of this research?

The pest is also a problem for trade and it is intended to involve Biosecurity Australia as an end-user in the development of documentation to support changes/enhancements to protocols that might arise from the research. An industry reference team has been formed for the project.