Impact of invasive insects on native insect communities

Abstract

Several biophysical factors are leading to the loss of biodiversity, among them the dominance of exotic invasive species on native communities is important. Their dominance can lead to changes in the structure of insect communities, by competing and displacing native species to other crops or habitats. These changes can impact the herbivore’s natural enemies in invaded areas by diverging them from suitable herbivores and altering their biological control process. The development of edible insects and derived products at an industrial scale can also have an impact on the local fauna by the risks of spillover and accidental release in nature. Several area-wide integrated pest management programs are also using the sterile insect technique to control insect pests and disease' vectors. This technique is becoming largely used; however, its application as ‘non-intrusive to the environment’ is controversial particularly when eradication is concerning species that are at the basis of food webs.