Aug 2026· ARPHA Conference Abstracts· Vol 9· 0 citations
TL;DR
This study provides the first systematic assessment of the ecological characteristics influencing the likelihood of edible insects becoming invasive, and identifies species not yet reported as invasive that could present risks if farmed outside their native ranges.
Abstract
Insect farming is promoted as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock, offering substantial reductions in land, water, and feed use while generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions. However, the escape or release of farmed insects into non-native environments may create significant biological invasion risks, with consequences for biodiversity, human well-being, and economies. This study provides the first systematic assessment of the ecological characteristics influencing the likelihood of edible insects becoming invasive, and identifies species not yet reported as invasive that could present risks if farmed outside their native ranges. We evaluated 1,030 species (943 native and 88 introduced) spanning six insect orders (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and Blattodea) in a multidimensional functional space. Our analyses highlight the importance of both larval and adult diet breadth, macroecological factors such as temperature and humidity, and native-range distribution size as predictors of invasion potential. Using machine learning, we identified species with high invasive risk, with Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera being the groups most likely to become invasive. By combining ecological variables with predictive modeling, this work provides a framework for invasion risk assessment and delivers practical guidance to support sustainable insect farming while minimizing ecological threats.
Globalisation and expanding trade have increased opportunities for the introduction and establishment of invasive alien insects in India. The country’s diverse agro-climatic zones, varied habitats and extensive agricultural and forest resources create conditions in which introduced insects may establish, spread, and affect native biodiversity, ecosystem functions and human livelihoods. This review aims to synthesise available information on invasive alien insects in India, with emphasis on their invasiveness, ecological impacts, risk assessment, prevention, and management. A focused literature search was conducted using major academic databases. On the basis of the study objectives, a set of keywords and search terms was developed, including synonyms and related concepts, to broaden the scope of the search. This study highlights traits that facilitate invasion, including broad host range, high reproductive capacity, environmental tolerance, dispersal ability, insecticide resistance and interactions with host plants or native species. The review also summarises ecological consequences at genetic, population, community and ecosystem levels, including herbivory, predation, parasitism, competition, pathogen transmission, habitat disturbance and indirect effects on ecosystem processes. Risk analysis is discussed in relation to invasion pathways, climate matching, host availability, biogeographical similarity and quarantine capacity. Preventive approaches include pest risk analysis, inspection of imported goods, surveillance, early detection, and strict phytosanitary regulation. Management options include monitoring, biological control, selective chemical control, habitat management, resistant cultivars, mechanical measures, and integrated pest management. The review emphasises that coordinated surveillance, taxonomic expertise, regulatory enforcement, and eco-friendly management are required to reduce the impacts of invasive alien insects.
Global trade and climate change are accelerating the spread and impacts of invasive forest pests worldwide. The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) is among the most destructive invasive ambrosia beetles, attacking approximately 680 woody plant species across five continents and causing substantial ecological and economic losses. This review synthesizes the current knowledge of PSHB taxonomy, biology, fungal symbiosis, host range, invasion history, surveillance and management. Evidence indicates that eradication is rarely feasible once populations become established, while existing chemical and biological control measures remain of limited effectiveness, making early detection and rapid response essential. This review highlights major knowledge gaps in invasion biology, host susceptibility, fungal interactions and chemical ecology, and identifies research priorities to improve surveillance, risk prediction and integrated management. Advancing these areas will strengthen global biosecurity and enhance protection of forests, urban trees and commercial orchards.
Bernard Dell, Wei Xu, Chi Minh Nguyen· Forests· 0 citations
In Mediterranean ecosystems, invasive woody species plants, such as
Acacia
and
Hakea,
threaten biodiversity, increase fire risk and raise forest management costs. Their fire-adapted traits and persistent seed banks make them difficult to control using conventional methods alone. Targeted goat browsing is a potentially cost-effective and sustainable alternative, with ecological and economic relevance in these fire-prone ecosystems, but its effectiveness for
Acacia
and
Hakea
control remains poorly understood.
We conducted feeding trials with captive Serrana goats (
Capra hircus
) at the Biological Park of Lousã (Portugal) to evaluate their potential to assist in the management of
Acacia
and
Hakea
invasions. A cafeteria-style experiment tested goats preferences among six plant species (four invasive and two native).
Acacia
dealbata seeds
(the most common invader in the region) were also fed to goats to examine ingestion, recovery from faeces and post-digestion fate.
Goats demonstrated strong selective foraging preferences.
Quercus robur
(native) and
A. dealbata
(invasive) were the most preferred, whereas
H. decurrens
(invasive) was consistently avoided. Preferences varied for the invasives
A. melanoxylon
and
H. salicifolia
and the native
Pterospartum tridentatum
. Goats ingested 44 % of the 7500
A. dealbata
seeds offered, of which 9% were excreted intact and germinated up to 70%. However, most seeds were not recovered, and seed fragments in faeces suggest substantial damage during digestion. This indicates limited, despite real, potential for seed dispersal via endozoochory.
Our results suggest targeted goat browsing as a nature-based solution to manage plant invasions, particularly regeneration, providing ecosystem services by reducing invasive woody biomass and destroying most
A. dealbata
seeds. However, they may also cause disservices, such as the spreading of viable seeds and browsing on accessible
Q. robur
, hindering regeneration efforts. Goats had minimal effect on the spiny
H. decurrens
. To maximise benefits and limit risks, grazing should be confined to invaded areas, managing goat movement in space and time to prevent
Acacia
seed spread and the browsing of highly palatable native plants in sites under restoration. This approach may support the conservation of local goat breeds while contributing to invasive plant management programmes, fire risk mitigation and habitat management.
Mónica Roldão Almeida, Joana Alves, E. Marchante et al.· ARPHA Conference Abstracts· 0 citations
The increasing spread of invasive alien species (IAS) represents one of the major causes of biodiversity loss, making containment practices necessary. In this regard, the circular economy framework proposes to reuse the biomass from IAS in growing sectors such as aquaculture, in which more sustainable practices are required. This study evaluated the possibility of using biomass derived from two widespread freshwater IAS, Procambarus clarkii and Silurus glanis, as dietary ingredients for Oncorhynchus mykiss. Experimental diets were formulated by incorporating 20% of IAS-derived muscle powder into a commercial feed, and their effects were assessed through a 35-day feeding trial. Chemical analyses confirmed the nutritional suitability of the formulated diets and the absence of antibiotic residues. No mortality or significant differences in growth performance were observed among treatments. Blood biochemical parameters showed limited variations, remaining within physiological ranges, while oxidative stress biomarkers indicated only minor, diet-specific responses without evidence of oxidative damage. An increase in Hsp70 expression suggested adaptive physiological responses rather than pathological stress. Histological analyses of liver and gut tissues revealed no structural alterations across experimental groups. Overall, the results demonstrate that the inclusion of IAS-derived biomass at 20% is well tolerated by O. mykiss and does not impair fish health. These findings support the potential of invasive species valorization as a sustainable strategy for aquaculture feed production, contributing to both resource efficiency and ecosystem management.
G. Zicarelli, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Barbara Caldaroni et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations
Biological invasions pose a growing threat to global agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystems with invasive insect species like the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) among the most notorious for fruit production and trading. Effective early detection of low-density populations is essential for limiting establishment and spread, particularly under conditions that favor population growth. In this study we tried to evaluate the detectability of low-abundance medfly populations using a novel release–recapture approach in urban environments across two regions of Greece. Feral marked males and females were released at randomized points in areas where the medfly is well established and occurs in high population levels, and recapture rates were monitored using standard traps baited with sex- and food-based attractants. Despite releasing 6480 adults over multiple trials, recapture rates remained very low (0.74%), with most individuals recaptured within the first 15 days post-release and in traps located near release points. Statistical modeling revealed that detection likelihood was influenced by the number of flies released and the distance to traps, while temperature and time after release had no measurable effect. Recapture patterns varied between sites, highlighting the influence of landscape structure, host plant availability, and microclimatic factors. These results demonstrate that detecting incipient invasions is inherently challenging and often influenced by stochastic processes. Surveillance systems relying on sparse trap grids may fail to detect early-stage populations, allowing invasive species to establish undetected. Enhancing trap density and integrating ecological variables into monitoring strategies are critical for improving early detection and informing timely eradication efforts.
Eleftheria-Maria D Bali, Eleni Verykouki, D. Papachristos et al.· Biological Invasions· 0 citations
Temperate rainforest are a natural reservoir of genetic diversity which offers a rich source of medicinal plants, high-yield foods and a myriad of other useful products. They are an important habitat for migratory animals and sustain as much as 50 percent of the species on earth, as well as a number of diverse and unique indigenous cultures. They also show an elemental role in regulating global weather in addition to maintaining regular rainfall, while buffering against floods, deforestations, and erosion. The studies purpose is to assess the effect of deforestation on livelihood and the adaptation strategies in Dellomena District, Bale zone Oromia region. Information about the various effects of deforestation and adaptation strategies was collected using a structured questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD). The result shows that wind storm, flooding, late rainfall; low output yields and wide spreads of pest infestation were ranked as the major effects of deforestation. It was agree by the majority of the discussants at FGD that artisan work and small scale businesses are the major other sources of livelihood adopted by the individuals. In their various submissions they all attest that wind storm and flooding are the most common effects of deforestation noticeable in the study area.
Dejene Taye*· International Journal of Agr...· 0 citations
