New Pest Response Guidelines - Phytosanitary Resources

Noctuidae: Spodopotera
Chapter 8. Pathways
Chapter 8. Pathways
Introduction
Commerce
Natural
Travel
Countries of origin
Destinations
Since 1985, interceptions of spodoptera have been reported over 1,759 times
on fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and other plants and on more than 230 taxa.
Interceptions identified as S. littoralis have been reported 65 times, and
interceptions identified as S. litura have been reported 279 times. S. littoralis
and S. litura present the greatest approach risk. For the same period, S.
exempta was intercepted four times, S. mauritia was intercepted 13 times, and
S. pectin was intercepted 14 times (USDA Port Identification Network
Database 2003).
Commerce appears to be the most likely pathway for introduction of
spodoptera. The majority of interceptions have been associated with permit
cargo (62%) and general cargo (22%).
The lifestyle of exotic spodoptera precludes natural spread through wind,
attachment to or transport by another organism or through other natural
means. For example, the risk of introduction of S. littoralis through natural
means is low since eggs are attached to lower regions of plants, the larvae
hide in the soil when not feeding, and pupation occurs in the soil. One exotic
species, S. exempta, has demonstrated only weak migratory abilities (often
facilitated by wind currents).
International airline passengers accounted for 16% of interceptions.
The majority of S. littoralis were intercepted in permit cargo flowers from
Israel. Interceptions of S. litura predominate in orchids entering as permit
cargo.
S. littoralis has been intercepted at 49 international ports of entry, including
ports in Hawaii. The majority of interceptions were reported from JFK
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