It’s only a matter of time before a voracious bollworm that has surfaced in Puerto Rico and has long been a threat to Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe shows up in the U.S., according to Southwest Farm Press.
“If it’s in Puerto Rico, we’re going to have it soon, if we don’t already,” said Louisiana State University entomologist David Kerns.
Also known as the Old World bollworm, the pest is not picky in what it eats. It is known to attack 180 species of plants, including corn, soybeans, cotton and small grains. A study conducted by a group of scientists from five countries estimated global crop damage from the bollworm at $2 billion annually.
A 2015 report estimated up to $78 billion worth of crops would be vulnerable in the U.S. Eradication, the report says, would not be an option. The pest rapidly evolves resistance to insecticides including some Bt proteins.
APHIS increased annual funding dedicated to the pest to more than $1.2 million to survey for the pest and improve detection and control methods. Most of the efforts will be concentrated in Puerto Rico and Florida, the most likely source of a mainland U.S. invasion.