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

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 t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2019-10, Vol.10 (10), p.335
Main Authors: Paterson, Georgia, Perry, George L. W., Walker, James T. S., Suckling, David Maxwell
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to information
Attitudes
biosecurity
Butterflies & moths
Collaboration
cydia pomonella
eradication
Horticulture
Households
Insects
Nonnative species
Offspring
Pest control
Pests
Pheromones
public
Questionnaires
Sex pheromone
Sterilized organisms
unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Urban areas
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2075-4450
2075-4450
DOI:10.3390/insects10100335