Potential tree pest invasions Cuba-USA: Pest diversity, economic assessment of threat, and policy analysis

The aim of this project is to produce the most up to date and accurate dataset on wood borers – a class of potentially harmful tree pests present in Cuba – with information needed to assess their potential ecological and economic impact to the United States. The dataset will include information on species diversity and will identify species with the greatest potential to impact American trees of high commercial and ecological importance in the southern United States. With economic modeling and policy analysis, it will also deliver data on the expected economic impacts of potential new tree pest introductions as well as information on Cuban phytosanitary institutions (e.g., laws, regulations, governmental offices). This suggestion will provide key information on the diversity and distribution of wood borers in Cuba, the potential economic impacts of a potential wood borer invasion, and a clear understanding of the policies, regulations and institutional arrangements in place to prevent and mitigate future invasions. This information will allow U.S. government agencies to adopt a more proactive and effective approach to prevent new introductions and establishment of high-risk invasive tree pests from Cuba, particularly if trade relations between the two countries are normalized.

The geographic proximity and ecological similarities of Cuba to Florida may make it a key pathway for potentially harmful exotic pests entering the US. The identification of potential invasive pests offshore is a key effective tool to mitigate and recognize pathways of introduction and better prevent their possible introduction, establishment, and impact. Yet neither the USDA nor the State of Florida have a presence there, and there is minimal knowledge of pests of concern in Cuba. While we already have limited trade with Cuba, and expect that trade may increase over time, we lack the data needed to predict the arrival of new plant pests from Cuba or to plan a response.

Wood borers account for more than half of all new forest insect invasions to the US, and spread novel tree pathogens that can be highly damaging and for which there are no management tools. To prevent a future tree epidemic driven by an invasive woodborer or tree pathogen from Cuba, U.S. regulatory agencies need an evidence-based decision support system to accurately identify high consequence pests, target efforts to monitor and mitigate these pests offshore, manage pathways of introduction, and if necessary establish early detection and eradication programs. We also need information about the likelihood of an invasion, its potential economic impacts under different policy scenarios, and policies and institutional arrangements in place regarding invasive species in Cuba. Such information is critical to the development of coordinated efforts by USDA-APHIS and state and overseas partner agencies to assess and mitigate invasive species risks (e.g., new introductions and establishment of high-risk wood borers), similar to what is currently being done in other areas of the Caribbean.

Press release about the project: http://www.farms.com/news/uf-ifas-researchers-head-to-cuba-for-scientific-exchange-to-benefit-florida-agriculture-114450.aspx