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The new world screwworm: distribution and eradication

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The new world screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) was eradicated in North America, Libya and other locations using the sterile insect technique (SIT). To examine the role of weather in its eradication, a physiologically-based demographic model (PBDM) was developed and used to characterize its range of year-round persistence. Winter temperature and rainfall are shown to have a strong influence on screwworm outbreaks and in facilitating eradication in North America and Libya. Prospective analysis for the Mediterranean Basin suggests eastern areas are most favorable for screwworm establishment (e.g., the Nile River area of Egypt). The SIT eradication programme and its possible extension into South America are discussed. Expected +2°C climate warming is predicted to increase the potential year-round range of screwworm in the SE USA. Gutierrez A.P., Ponti L., 2014. The new world screwworm: prospective distribution and role of weather in eradication. Agricultural and Forest Entom...
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Invasive potential of medfly in California and Italy

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Since being detected in California in 1975, the polyphagous tropical Mediterranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitata Weid. (medfly)) has been the subject of a large-scale eradication campaign in the absence of sound knowledge of its invasive potential. We use a weather-driven physiologically-based demographic system model ( CASAS ) embedded in a GIS based on GRASS to examine medfly's potential distribution across Arizona-California (AZ-CA), and Italy where its establishment is documented. AZ is unfavorable for medfly because of high summer temperatures, while much of CA, including many frost-free areas, is too cold during winter. Only the south near coastal region of CA is predicted to be potentially favorable for medfly, but in the absence of consistent measurable populations, we cannot say if medfly is established there. Medfly has been established in Italy for decades, and our model predicts a wide distribution in the southern and western regions of the country. Gutierrez A.P.,...
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Invasive potential of tropical fruit flies in temperate regions under climate change

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Tropical fruit flies are considered among the most economically important invasive species detected in temperate areas of the United States and the European Union. Detections often trigger quarantine and eradication programs that are conducted without a holistic understanding of the threat posed. Weather-driven physiologically-based demographic models are used to estimate the geographic range, relative abundance, and threat posed by four tropical tephritid fruit flies (Mediterranean fruit fly, melon fly, oriental fruit fly, and Mexican fruit fly) in North and Central America, and the European-Mediterranean region under extant and climate change weather (RCP8.5 and A1B scenarios). Most temperate areas under tropical fruit fly propagule pressure have not been suitable for establishment, but suitability is predicted to increase in some areas with climate change. To meet this ongoing challenge, investments are needed to collect sound biological data to develop mechanistic models to predict...
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