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

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.

Will Peri-Urban Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Challenge Local Eradication?

“…The removal of backyard host trees would be ideal for codling moth control and eradication. However, in our related study of community attitudes to suppression tactics [24], most homeowners did not support this option. Instead, fruit could be stripped for a limited period and the location of host trees could be used as foci for management techniques, such as the aerial area-wide release of sterile codling moths.…”

“…There are approximately 9975 occupied dwellings located in the selected study areas in Hastings [23]. Seven of the 86 (c. 8%) dwellings surveyed had a host tree on their property [24], so it would be expected that there would be a much larger number of host trees throughout the Hastings region (potentially up to 800 host trees based on a simple linear upscaling). The identification of all host trees would facilitate management of codling moth in the Hawke's Bay region but would be costly.…”

“…Common walnut trees (Juglans regia L.) are a large, well-established ornamental tree species in New Zealand, and a known host of codling moth, and locations of these trees were also recorded in the survey. In Hastings, the locations of apple, pear, and walnut trees were identified where possible, by talking to landowners when traps were placed [24], and any known host trees on neighboring properties were noted. Walnuts were extensively mapped in 2011, but data were not published.…”

“…The peri-urban area is characterized by extensive boundaries between residential and apple production areas, with all residences in Hastings being within 2.5 km of an orchard. Traps were installed with the permission of homeowners, who were also asked questions as part of a survey of peri-urban community attitudes to the pest and the SIT [24]. Where a host tree was available, the trap was placed in that tree (n = 11 for apple, n = 1 for pear, and n = 3 for walnut).…”

“…Expansion of the program to the wider Hawke's Bay area could be considered if this pilot eradication was successful and the economics, logistics, and likelihood of success of a wider SIT program were favorable. Therefore, the peri-urban codling moth population in the wider Heretaunga Plains area were also investigated, centered on the city of Hastings (population 73,245) [23], where we had also investigated homeowner attitudes to the sterile insect technique [24].…”