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de Wit MP, Crookes DJ, Blignaut JN, de Beer ZW, Paap T, Roets F, van der Merwe C, van Wilgen BW, Richardson DM. An Assessment of the Potential Economic Impacts of the Invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South Africa. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:1076-1086. [PMID: 35604375 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies addressing the economic impacts of invasive alien species are biased towards ex-post assessments of the costs and benefits of control options, but ex-ante assessments are also required to deal with potentially damaging invaders. The polyphagous shot hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a recent and potentially damaging introduction to South Africa. We assessed the potential impact of this beetle by working across economic and biological disciplines and developing a simulation model that included dynamic mutualistic relations between the beetle and its symbiotic fungus. We modeled the potential growth in beetle populations and their effect on the net present cost of damage to natural forests, urban trees, commercial forestry, and the avocado industry over 10 yr. We modeled high, baseline, and low scenarios using discount rates of 8, 6, and 4%, and a plausible range of costs and mortality rates. Models predicted steady growth in the beetle and fungus populations, leading to average declines in tree populations of between 3.5 and 15.5% over 10 yr. The predicted net present cost was 18.45 billion international dollars (Int. $), or about 0.66% of the country's GDP for our baseline scenario ($2.7 billion to $164 billion for low and high scenarios). Most of the costs are for the removal of urban trees that die as a result of the beetle and its fungal symbiont, as has been found in other regions. We conclude that an ex-ante economic assessment system dynamics model can be useful for informing national strategies on invasive alien species management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P de Wit
- School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - D J Crookes
- School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - J N Blignaut
- School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Z W de Beer
- Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - T Paap
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - F Roets
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - C van der Merwe
- Department of Economics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - B W van Wilgen
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - D M Richardson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Ángel-Restrepo M, Parra PP, Ochoa-Ascencio S, Fernández-Pavía S, Vázquez-Marrufo G, Equihua-Martínez A, Barrientos-Priego AF, Ploetz RC, Konkol JL, Saucedo-Carabez JR, Gazis R. First Look Into the Ambrosia Beetle-Fungus Symbiosis Present in Commercial Avocado Orchards in Michoacán, Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:385-396. [PMID: 34935953 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvab142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Most beetle-fungus symbioses do not represent a threat to agricultural and natural ecosystems; however, a few beetles are able to inoculate healthy hosts with disease-causing fungal symbionts. Here, we report the putative nutritional symbionts associated with five native species of ambrosia beetles colonizing commercial avocado trees in four locations in Michoacán. Knowing which beetles are present in the commercial orchards and the surrounding areas, as well as their fungal associates, is imperative for developing a realistic risk assessment and an effective monitoring system that allows for timely management actions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed five potentially new, previously undescribed species of Raffaelea, and three known species (R. arxi, R. brunnea, R. fusca). The genus Raffaelea was recovered from all the beetle species and across the different locations. Raffaelea lauricola (RL), which causes a deadly vascular fungal disease known as laurel wilt (LW) in Lauraceae species, including avocado, was not recovered. This study points to the imminent danger of native ambrosia beetles spreading RL if the pathogen is introduced to Mexico's avocado orchards or natural areas given that these beetles are associated with Raffaelea species and that lateral transfer of RL among ambrosia beetles in Florida suggests that the likelihood of this phenomenon increases when partners are phylogenetically close. Therefore, this study provides important information about the potential vectors of RL in Mexico and other avocado producing regions. Confirming beetle-fungal identities in these areas is especially important given the serious threat laurel wilt disease represents to the avocado industry in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ángel-Restrepo
- Programa Institucional de Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - P P Parra
- Department of Plant Pathology, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
| | - S Ochoa-Ascencio
- Departamento de Fitopatología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - S Fernández-Pavía
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agrícolas y Forestales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - G Vázquez-Marrufo
- Centro Multidisciplinario de Estudios en Biotecnología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, México
| | - A Equihua-Martínez
- Colegio de Postgraduados-Instituto de Fitosanidad-Entomología, Texcoco, México
| | | | - R C Ploetz
- Department of Plant Pathology, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
| | - J L Konkol
- Department of Plant Pathology, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
| | - J R Saucedo-Carabez
- Department of Plant Pathology, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
| | - R Gazis
- Department of Plant Pathology, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
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Gomez DF, Adams DC, Cossio RE, de Grammont PC, Messina WA, Royce FS, Galindo-Gonzalez S, Hulcr J, Muiño BL, Vázquez LL. Peering into the Cuba phytosanitary black box: An institutional and policy analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239808. [PMID: 32986778 PMCID: PMC7521714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To mitigate the movement of non-native organisms with trade, phytosanitary systems have been implemented within and between countries. In some countries such as Cuba, little is known about the within-state plant health system. To facilitate the development of future trade partnership between Cuba and the United States, agencies need to understand the organizational structure and diagnostic capacity of the Cuban Plant Protection System, identify potential synergies between the United States and Cuban systems, and identify steps towards cooperation. This paper fills this critical void by presenting a descriptive analysis of the plant health system in Cuba. Information was integrated from available literature, informal interviews with Cuban experts, and workshops focused on Cuban policies, risk, and potential collaboration attended by Cuban and American experts. We identify the next practical steps in improving cooperation, including building trust and capacity. Mutual understanding of phytosanitary systems will be crucial for the regional economic and environmental stability of a post-embargo United States-Cuban relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demian F. Gomez
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Damian C. Adams
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Rosa E. Cossio
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | | | - William A. Messina
- Florida Agricultural Market Research Center University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Frederick S. Royce
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sebastian Galindo-Gonzalez
- Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jiri Hulcr
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | | | - Luis L. Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones de Sanidad Vegetal, Havana, Cuba
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Susaeta A, Soto JR, Adams DC, Hulcr J. Expected Timber-Based Economic Impacts of a Wood-Boring Beetle (Acanthotomicus Sp.) That Kills American Sweetgum. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:1942-1945. [PMID: 28854649 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
American sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua L. [Altingiaceae]) in China are being killed by a newly discovered wood-boring beetle "sweetgum inscriber" (Acanthotomicus sp.). It has not been detected in the United States yet, but given the extent of trade with Asian countries, eventual arrival of this beetle is a serious concern. The American sweetgum is one of the main hardwood species in the southern United States, and provides several economic and ecological benefits to society. We present the first economic analysis of the potential damage from sweetgum inscriber (SI) to timber-based land values in the southern United States. We modeled economic impacts for a range of feasible SI arrival rates that reflect policy interventions: 1) no efforts to prevent arrival (scenario A, once every 14 and 25 yr), 2) partial prevention by complying with ISPM 15 standards (scenario B, once every 33 and 100 yr), and 3) total prevention of arrival (scenario C, zero transmission of SI). Our results indicated much lower land values for sweetgum plantations without the prevention on SI establishment (scenario A, US$1,843-US$4,383 ha-1) compared with partial prevention (scenario B, US$5,426-US$8,050 ha-1) and total eradication of SI (scenario C, US$9,825). Across the region, upper bound timber-based economic losses to plantation owners is US$151.9 million (US$4.6 million annually)-an estimate that can help inform policy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Susaeta
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 136 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL 32601
| | - José R Soto
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 136 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL 32601
| | - Damian C Adams
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 136 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL 32601
| | - Jiri Hulcr
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 136 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL 32601
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Economic Feasibility of Managing Loblolly Pine Forests for Water Production under Climate Change in the Southeastern United States. FORESTS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/f8030083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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