Factors influencing eradication success and lessons for invasive wasp management

Social insects have emerged as highly successful and globally significant invasive species. While ongoing suppression is commonly employed, eradication is seen as a cost-effective and ideal long-term solution. However, the success of eradication attempts is not guaranteed. Identifying key factors that could influence the success of pest management programs may encourage future success. An analysis of 239 eradication attempts focused on identifying what drives eradication success, including whether eusociality may play a role in this. We found that in comparison to non-social insects, the odds of successful eradication were 79% lower when targeting social species, highlighting the importance of considering sociality in management programs. Cited reasons for eradication failure emphasized the significance of employing effective control treatments, implementing robust management and monitoring systems, and securing sufficient social and political support. Lessons learned in this analysis were applied to a real-world control program targeting invasive yellow-jacket wasps (Vespula spp.) in New Zealand. While many nests were killed and substantial declines in wasp activity were achieved, nest mortality was still below that which could produce eradication. Monitoring revealed density-dependent relationships between baiting intensity and declines in wasp activity. These findings emphasise the importance of comprehensive data collection alongside pest management activities and can help improve success rate of future eradication efforts.