Householders back the use of organically-accepted insect control

Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an organically-accepted technique that can help suppress certain insect pests, and may be used in conjunction with other benign techniques such as pheromones for mating disruption. 

A recent pilot study using sterilised codling moths on private orchards in Hawke’s Bay significantly reduced pest numbers. While codling moth poses a significant economic risk for New Zealand, the acceptability of a wide scale future programme in this region depends on gaining community support. 

This study by scientists at Plant & Food Research and the University of Auckland, surveyed households in Hastings. Participants were informed of the benefits of community engagement on biosecurity – such as having the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

The study found that the majority of people (98%) strongly supported using SIT to control codling moth, with most (98%) also in favour of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to disperse sterile moths and allowing access to their gardens for monitoring traps (private gardens could spread codling moth into nearby orchards). Respondents similarly supported the use of SIT in an emergency fruit-fly or similar insect pest response.

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Journal Reference:

Paterson G, Perry GLW, Walker JTS, Suckling DM  2019 Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand. Insects. 10 (10) https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100335