This tiny insect, no bigger than a sesame seed, threatens billions of dollars in economic activity
This insect, the size of a sesame seed, threatens millions of trees and could cost the South African economy up to $18.5 billion over 10 years. Nestled in a picturesque setting, amidst fruit-laden vineyards stretching across the majestic mountains of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch, South Africa, has been known as the "City of Oaks" for nearly 350 years. Thousands of majestic English oaks and other urban trees that once lined the city's streets and farmland are gone. Many of the remaining trees have a multitude of tiny holes under their bark, no bigger than a ballpoint pen dot – a sign that they have been infested with insects. These are the traces left by the wood-boring beetle, an omnivorous insect and invasive species that affects numerous tree populations in South Africa and elsewhere in the world . According to CNN , this insect is no bigger than a sesame seed, but its ecological and economic impact is considerable and growing globally, affecting millions of trees and causing losses amounting to billions of dollars. Small insects, huge bills. At first glance, this insect is almost ordinary. The shoots often bore small tunnels into the trunk, introducing a fungus. This fungus develops in the tree's vascular system, hindering the transport of water and nutrients. The tree then weakens and eventually dies. What worries scientists even more is their reproductive capacity. A single female can establish an entire population without an initial male. These characteristics make these beetles very difficult to detect early and difficult to control once the population is established.In South Africa, this species of beetle was first discovered in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in 2012 and officially confirmed in 2017. To date, it has appeared in eight of the country's nine provinces, according to Stellenbosch University. Stellenbosch, renowned for its ancient oak groves, is one of the hardest-hit areas. Thousands of pedunculate oaks, as well as many other species, have died or had to be felled. Bloomberg , citing a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology in 2022, indicated that if the pest infestation is not brought under control, economic losses for South Africa could reach 275 billion rand over 10 years, or approximately $18.5 billion at the time. This figure represents about 0.66% of South Africa's GDP. Researchers estimate that around 65 million of South Africa's 225 million urban trees could require treatment if the parasite continues to spread, which would generate significant costs.If a large number of trees are affected, the economic impact could ripple out to many other sectors. Urban trees provide shade, help reduce temperatures, retain water, and offer habitat for birds, insects, and many other species. A decrease in the number of trees can lead to higher temperatures in some urban areas and generate additional costs for the maintenance and restoration of green spaces. The initial cost is very direct: infected trees must be detected, felled, transported and disposed of in order to prevent the spread of parasites.But when millions of trees disappear, the economic damage has repercussions in many other areas. Urban trees provide shade, help reduce temperatures, retain water, and offer habitat for birds, insects, and many other species. Their disappearance could lead to higher temperatures and increased maintenance costs for cities.These impacts have generated increased interest in research on controlling the spread of this insect species. Spreading across the world According to CNN , invasive species of all kinds cost the global economy more than $423 billion annually.According to distribution studies carried out in June, this beetle species has been present in Spain , Uruguay and Turkey since 2022, suggesting a potential for significant ecological expansion in subtropical and temperate regions. This great ability to adapt to different climates suggests that this species of beetle could continue to expand its range from California, where it is already present, to the southeastern United States, eastern Mexico, and parts of Central America. Other regions of Africa and the Mediterranean basin also offer conditions conducive to the emergence of this species. The study further indicates that climate change could create even more favorable conditions for the expansion of this beetle's range. Professor François Roets, a specialist in conservation ecology and entomology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, believes that increased resources could support efforts to combat this beetle. He also sees new possibilities through the reforestation of affected areas. From a purely scientific point of view, he was amazed by the beetle's remarkable reproductive capacity. In areas where oak trees were affected, he also saw an opportunity to replant new species, both to enrich biodiversity and to improve resistance to pests and diseases. "Lately, I've been trying to convey a more positive message," he said. "It's a challenge, but also a very interesting one, to try to find solutions to control this invasion."His former colleague, Brian van Wilden, now retired after nearly half a century of research on invasive species, believes that many questions remain to be explored. Although South Africa has long grappled with invasive exotic plant species such as the Virginia pine and eucalyptus, the emergence of this beetle warrants further research into measures to limit its spread. According to him, this is a relatively new challenge, as invasive insects can disrupt natural ecosystems. This characteristic places new demands on research and control of invasive species in South Africa.
Source: https://lifestyle.zingnews.vn/chi-bang-hat-vung-loai-bo-nho-de-doa-hang-ty-usd-cua-mot-nen-kinh-te-post1683628.html