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...
Main Authors: | , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2019-10-01
|
Series: | Insects |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/10/335 |
id |
doaj-4468754cde18412d892bcba284190f43 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-4468754cde18412d892bcba284190f432020-11-25T01:50:57ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502019-10-01101033510.3390/insects10100335insects10100335Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New ZealandGeorgia Paterson0George L. W. Perry1James T. S. Walker2David Maxwell Suckling3School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New ZealandSchool of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New ZealandThe New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Havelock North 4157, New ZealandThe New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch 8140, New ZealandNew, 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/10/335eradicationpublicbiosecurity<i>cydia pomonella</i>unmanned aerial vehicle |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Georgia Paterson George L. W. Perry James T. S. Walker David Maxwell Suckling |
spellingShingle |
Georgia Paterson George L. W. Perry James T. S. Walker David Maxwell Suckling Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand Insects eradication public biosecurity <i>cydia pomonella</i> unmanned aerial vehicle |
author_facet |
Georgia Paterson George L. W. Perry James T. S. Walker David Maxwell Suckling |
author_sort |
Georgia Paterson |
title |
Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand |
title_short |
Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand |
title_full |
Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand |
title_fullStr |
Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand |
title_full_unstemmed |
Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand |
title_sort |
peri-urban community attitudes towards codling moth trapping and suppression using the sterile insect technique in new zealand |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Insects |
issn |
2075-4450 |
publishDate |
2019-10-01 |
description |
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. |
topic |
eradication public biosecurity <i>cydia pomonella</i> unmanned aerial vehicle |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/10/335 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT georgiapaterson periurbancommunityattitudestowardscodlingmothtrappingandsuppressionusingthesterileinsecttechniqueinnewzealand AT georgelwperry periurbancommunityattitudestowardscodlingmothtrappingandsuppressionusingthesterileinsecttechniqueinnewzealand AT jamestswalker periurbancommunityattitudestowardscodlingmothtrappingandsuppressionusingthesterileinsecttechniqueinnewzealand AT davidmaxwellsuckling periurbancommunityattitudestowardscodlingmothtrappingandsuppressionusingthesterileinsecttechniqueinnewzealand |
_version_ |
1724999242835034112 |