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Molecular diagnostics in combination with morphological identification is the method of choice for several cryptic microbial plant pathogens. For some diagnostic applications, traditional sequencing techniques can be time consuming, making them ill-suited for biosecurity incursion responses, where accurate results are needed in real time. More rapid next generation sequencing tools must be tested and compared with traditional methods to assess their utility in biosecurity applications. Here utilizing 95 samples infected with fungal pathogen Phyllosticta cavendishii, from a recent incursion in Australia, we compare species identification success using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene barcode on conventional Sanger and Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing platforms. For Sanger sequencing, the average pairwise identity percentage score between generated consensus sequences and P. cavendishii sequence from holotype material on NCBI database was 99.9% ± SE 0.0 whereas for MinION sequencing the average pairwise identity percentage was 99.1% ± SE 0.1. Relatively larger consensus sequences (mean 486 bp ± SE 2.4) were generated by Sanger sequencing compared to MinION sequencing (mean 435 bp ± SE 4.6). Our results confirm that both sequencing methods can reliably identify P. cavendishii. MinION sequencing, provided quicker results compared to Sanger sequencing and demonstrated diagnostic competence, with the added advantage of being portable, for front-line "point of incursion" biosecurity applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pig sector in Corsica is based by a wide range of farming systems, mainly characterized on traditional extensive practices, which favor contacts between domestic and wild individuals. These contacts are suspected to influence the maintenance and the transmission of shared infectious diseases between both populations. Therefore, it is important to develop methods that allow to understand and anticipate their occurrence. Modeling these interactions requires accurate data on the presence, location and use of land on pig farms and farming practices, but such data are often unavailable, incomplete or outdated. In this study, we suggest a method to collect and analyze pig farming information that combines approaches from social sciences and epidemiology and enables a spatial representation of an index of potential interaction (IPI) between wild and domestic pigs at municipality level in the Corsican territory. As a first step of the process, interviews were conducted to gather information from 103 pig farms. Then, using hierarchical clustering, we identified five different clusters of pig farming practices which were evaluated and validated by local experts using participatory tools. The five pig farming clusters with their respective estimated levels of direct and indirect interactions with wild boars were combined in a linear equation with pig density to estimate a hypothetical index of potential interaction (IPI) in 155 municipalities. Our results revealed the diversity of pig farming practices across the island of Corsica and pointed out potential hotspots of interaction. Our method proved to be an effective way to collect and update information on the presence and typology of pig farms which has the potential to update official livestock production statistics. The spatial representation of an IPI between wild boars and domestic pigs in the Corsican territory could help design regional disease management strategies and policies to improve the control of certain shared pig pathogens in pig farms from Corsica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interception data of insects collected at quarantine borders across China were crosschecked with incursion data from 2003 to 2016. In total, 83,983 insect interceptions were recorded across quarantine borders, involving 1,458 insect species. The species interception index at the family level was calculated to make each insect family comparable. Among the intercepted families, eight families that harm woody plants were intercepted at a high frequency, of which Noctuidae was the most intercepted family. In contrast, seventeen families that harm non-woody plants had a high interception frequency, of which the Silvanidae had the highest species interception frequency. Among the 1,458 intercepted insect species, 147 species were included in a list of quarantine insects in China. In terms of insect species, thirteen species had a high interception frequency (intercepted > 100 times or the cumulative yearly interception = 10 years), accounting for 90.1% of the total interceptions. Among these 13 species, ten species have become established in mainland China, with eight species specifically harmful to woody plants. Looking at the extent of insect pest interceptions, corresponding control measures should be initiated to minimize impacts to natural forests. These results show that border quarantine surveys can help identify and target control measures against invasive alien species. Still, the current quarantine system needs further improvement to successfully prevent alien species from crossing the border and spreading in natural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the establishment in Hawai'i of a trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus ruginodis, a species well known for its potent sting. In June 2017, a farmer on the island of Kaua'i reported "bites" from large ants and supplied a specimen to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for identification. Additional specimens were found in 2019 and 2020 in multiple locations up to 5 kilometres away from the initial detection. Multiple morphological identifications were made and combined with CO1 genetic assessment confirmed the species to be Odontomachus ruginodis, which had not been recorded prior from Hawai'i. We argue that greater biosecurity protocols are needed in Hawai'i to prevent further incursions, especially the introduction of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pig sector in Corsica is based by a wide range of farming systems, mainly characterized on traditional extensive practices, which favor contacts between domestic and wild individuals. These contacts are suspected to influence the maintenance and the transmission of shared infectious diseases between both populations. Therefore, it is important to develop methods that allow to understand and anticipate their occurrence. Modeling these interactions requires accurate data on the presence, location and use of land on pig farms and farming practices, but such data are often unavailable, incomplete or outdated. In this study, we suggest a method to collect and analyze pig farming information that combines approaches from social sciences and epidemiology and enables a spatial representation of an index of potential interaction (IPI) between wild and domestic pigs at municipality level in the Corsican territory. As a first step of the process, interviews were conducted to gather information from 103 pig farms. Then, using hierarchical clustering, we identified five different clusters of pig farming practices which were evaluated and validated by local experts using participatory tools. The five pig farming clusters with their respective estimated levels of direct and indirect interactions with wild boars were combined in a linear equation with pig density to estimate a hypothetical index of potential interaction (IPI) in 155 municipalities. Our results revealed the diversity of pig farming practices across the island of Corsica and pointed out potential hotspots of interaction. Our method proved to be an effective way to collect and update information on the presence and typology of pig farms which has the potential to update official livestock production statistics. The spatial representation of an IPI between wild boars and domestic pigs in the Corsican territory could help design regional disease management strategies and policies to improve the control of certain shared pig pathogens in pig farms from Corsica.

Simple Summary: Australian horticulture is at risk from incursions by exotic tephritid fruit fly species, particularly oriental fruit fly. An incursion by exotic fruit flies is likely to result in global trade restrictions and will cause significant economic losses. In this study, we investigated global management strategies for exotic fruit fly species and compared them with available local strategies in Australia to identify areas where Australian management practices could be improved. We identified that although Australia has a good understanding of the main exotic fruit fly threats, there remains no species-specific emergency response plan available to implement in the case of an incursion. Australia has effective tools for exotic fruit fly detection, an early warning surveillance network is in place across Australia and control measures used successfully for eradication elsewhere are available in Australia. However, the speed at which Australia could respond to an incursion is currently limited by the lack of a response plan, and this could have major implications for the effectiveness of management strategies for containment and eradication, likely leading to a more severe and costly incursion outcome. Exotic tephritid incursions are of high concern to Australia's biosecurity and its horticultural industries. It is vital that Australia remains ready to respond to incursions as they arise, as an incursion of tephritid fruit fly species will result in significant economic losses. In this review, we compared Australian incursion management strategies for fruit flies with global management strategies and identified possible areas where improvements could be made in an Australian context. Overall, Australia has a good understanding of the main tephritid threats, of which Bactrocera species from across the Torres Strait (northern Australia) are of most concern. Effective tools for tephritid detection and early warning surveillance at points of entry are in place at ports and in horticultural areas Australia-wide and provide the basis for initiating biosecurity responses in the event of an incursion. Area-wide control measures used in successful eradication attempts globally are available for use in Australia. However, a specific tephritid emergency response plan identifying suitable response measures and control options for species of concern is not yet available. We have identified that Australia has the policies and management tools available to respond to an exotic tephritid incursion, but the speed at which this could be accomplished would be greatly improved by the development of species-specific emergency response plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2016, an incursion of the paropsine beetle Paropsisterna variicollis (eucalyptus variegated beetle) was detected in the Hawke's Bay during routine Forest Biosecurity Surveillance. Paropsines cause significant damage to eucalypt plantations in several parts of the world. A survey of three Hawke's Bay sites containing 11 durable eucalypt species was conducted in January 2017. Defoliation by paropsines, and numbers of eggs, larvae and adults were recorded. Adult Pst. variicollis were observed on all eucalypt species, and were present in larger numbers than Paropsis charybdis in two sites. Eucalyptus bosistoana sustained the greatest defoliation and incidence of eggs and larvae, and E. macrorhyncha the least. Parasitism of Pst. variicollis eggs was observed but the agent was not definitively confirmed. Results indicate Pst. variicollis will exhibit a wide host range in New Zealand but variability observed in the levels of defoliation between species may be linked to heritable traits that can be exploited through current breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interception data pertaining to Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, and Hymenoptera collected at the Korean quarantine border were cross-checked with incursion data during 1996–2014. Overall, 114,636 interception records of 1,075 species belonging to the six orders were detected, while 33 species (out of 2,710 newly recorded species belonging to the six orders) were confirmed as incursion species in Korea. Of the 33 species, only 14 (42.42%) were recorded as being intercepted at the quarantine border. These results indicate that recent incursion species in Korea are not subject to inspection at Korean borders. Of the 33 incursion species, 30 (90.90%) are agricultural pests, and 10 species (30.30%) are hemipteran. About these species, two factors, greenhouse cultivation and parthenogenesis of exotic species, are newly suggested as reasons for successful incursion into Korea. This study reveals that border inspections do not provide useful information to protect against occurrences of exotic incursive species and that the current quarantine system needs improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exotic reptile and amphibian species have the potential to have ecological or economic impacts in New Zealand. Tony Whitaker, the consultant herpetologist for the New Zealand biosecurity agency from 2000 to 2014, was instrumental in developing and maintaining a database of exotic reptiles and amphibians intercepted at the border, completing risk assessments for the exotic herpetofauna species present in the domestic pet trade, and was involved in several compliance investigations for species illegally imported into New Zealand. These key contributions laid the foundation for the development of New Zealand's biosecurity protocols for exotic herpetofauna. Here we provide an overview of Tony's contributions in these three areas and present a detailed summary of the exotic amphibian and reptile species intercepted at the New Zealand border (1852 interceptions involving 2237 individuals from 201 different species). Sea transport routes originating from Australia, southeastern Asia and the Pacific region are the major source of exotic herpetofauna species arriving at New Zealand's borders. Stowaway individuals generally arrive alone, are alive when detected and are intercepted at the border. Lizards, and geckos in particular, constitute the majority of exotic herpetofauna species being accidentally imported into New Zealand. These results suggest that substantially more amphibian and reptile species are being moved around the world via human-assisted dispersal than previously recognised, and that most of these stowaways may be overlooked in other jurisdictions in the world that lack comprehensive biosecurity programmes. The database of exotic amphibian and reptile species will enable a range of future studies on the trade pathways and transport vectors through which they arrive in New Zealand, and the traits associated with successful herpetofauna stowaways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]