A recent study sheds light on important trends and elements affecting the establishment and detection of insect pests throughout the United States. It emphasizes that raising public awareness and participation in surveillance is vital for safeguarding agriculture and our ecosystems against dangerous pests. The results of this study can enhance strategies for the early identification and management of newly emerging insect pests.
A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland highlights significant trends and factors that influence insect pest establishment and detection across the United States. It indicates that increasing public awareness and involvement in surveillance is essential for the protection of agriculture and ecosystems from harmful pests.
Published in the August 2024 edition of Journal of Environmental Management, the findings can be leveraged to refine approaches for the early identification and response to newly emerging insect pests.
The introduction of non-native species presents major ecological and economic risks globally and significantly contributes to environmental changes. Early detection is widely recognized as essential for managing and minimizing the effects of these emerging pests. Nonetheless, the role of community members and homeowners in spotting new invasions has not been extensively examined until now.
“Our findings underscore the regions most vulnerable to new pest introductions and highlight the pivotal role that the public—ordinary citizens—plays in identifying these pests,” explained Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UMD and the study’s lead author. “These insights can aid in crafting more efficient pest survey programs. For instance, having knowledge of where the greatest risks lie can facilitate better strategic planning.”
Epanchin-Niell and her research team examined over 100 recent pest introductions and analyzed data from 3,000 counties across the United States. They assessed the influence of factors such as human population density, proximity to shipping ports, climate conditions, and agricultural activities on the probability of pest establishment and detection.
The findings indicated that pest establishment is more likely in densely populated areas and near ports, serving as key entry points for pest introduction. Additionally, climate-related factors affecting pest survivability were also linked to establishment rates. The team produced a map depicting the likelihood of pest introduction across the continental U.S., visually identifying regions at heightened risk.
The study also showed that pests are more frequently detected by the public in densely populated areas, as a larger number of people enhance the chances of encountering and reporting pests. Furthermore, public participation in pest detection tends to be greater in regions where agriculture holds a lesser economic value, where detection efforts by farmers, agricultural extension services, and pest surveys may not be as intense. In such areas, community involvement in pest detection becomes increasingly essential.
