Advances in understanding and predicting the spread of invading insect populations

Understanding and predicting the spread of invading insects is a critical challenge in management programs that aim to minimize ecological and economic harm to native ecosystems. Although efforts to quantify spread rates have been well studied over the past several decades, opportunities to improve our ability to estimate rates of spread, and identify the factors, such as habitat suitability and climate, that influence spread, remain. We review emerging sources of data that can be used to delineate distributional boundaries through time and thus serve as a basis for quantifying spread rates. We then address advances in modeling methods that facilitate our understanding of factors that drive invasive insect spread. We conclude by highlighting some remaining challenges in understanding and predicting invasive insect spread, such as the role of climate change and biotic similarity between the native and introduced ranges, particularly as it applies to decision-making in management programs.

Biosecurity: tools, behaviours and concepts

COVID 19 has raised the profile of biosecurity. However, biosecurity is not only about protecting human life. This issue brings together mini-reviews examining recent developments and thinking around some of the tools, behaviours and concepts around biosecurity. They illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, demonstrating the interface between research and policy. Biosecurity practices aim to prevent the spread of harmful organisms; recognising that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health, several focus on plant biosecurity although invasive species and animal health concerns are also captured. The reviews show progress in developing early warning systems and that plant protection organisations are increasingly using tools that compare multiple pest threats to prioritise responses. The bespoke modelling of threats can inform risk management responses and synergies between meteorology and biosecurity provide opportunities for increased collaboration. There is scope to develop more generic models, increasing their accessibility to policy makers. Recent research can improve pest surveillance programs accounting for real-world constraints. Social science examining individual farmer behaviours has informed biosecurity policy; taking a broader socio-cultural approach to better understand farming networks has the potential to change behaviours in a new way. When encouraging public recreationists to adopt positive biosecurity behaviours communications must align with their values. Bringing together the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors to address biosecurity risks in a common and systematic manner within the One Biosecurity concept can be achieved through multi-disciplinary working involving the life, physical and social sciences with the support of legislative bodies and the public.