Will growing invasive arthropod biodiversity outpace our ability for eradication?

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Pest Management

Background:

• Global eradication efforts for invasive arthropods have a long history, with 811 documented attempts since 1890 across 104 countries.
• Recent decades show an exponential increase in eradication programs, signaling growing challenges with invasive species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in invasive arthropod eradication programs.
• To assess the adequacy of current management measures for invasive species.
• To highlight the need for new research and management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Data compilation from the Global Eradication Database.
• Trend analysis of eradication program initiation and target species diversity.
• Qualitative assessment of management challenges.

Main Results:

• A significant, greater-than-exponential increase in eradication programs initiated in recent decades.
• A three-fold rise in species richness targeted for eradication over the past 50 years, with dramatic increases across all taxonomic levels.
• Invasive arthropod threats are diversifying, including new pest groups with limited management tools.

Conclusions:

• Current management strategies for invasive species are inadequate to curb their spread.
• The increasing biodiversity of invasive arthropods presents a substantial, underestimated challenge.
• A shift in research focus is required to accelerate delimitation and suppression, reducing reliance on insecticides.