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The effectiveness of Virkon® S disinfectant against an invasive insect and implications for Antarctic biosecurity practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2020

Jesamine C. Bartlett Open the ORCID record for Jesamine C. Bartlett [Opens in a new window] ,
Richard James Radcliffe Open the ORCID record for Richard James Radcliffe [Opens in a new window] ,
Pete Convey Open the ORCID record for Pete Convey [Opens in a new window] ,
Kevin A. Hughes Open the ORCID record for Kevin A. Hughes [Opens in a new window]  and
Scott A.L. Hayward Open the ORCID record for Scott A.L. Hayward [Opens in a new window]
Jesamine C. Bartlett*
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, EdgbastonB15 2TT, UK British Antarctic Survey, CambridgeCB3 0ET, UK Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034Trondheim, Norway.
Richard James Radcliffe
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, EdgbastonB15 2TT, UK
Pete Convey
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, CambridgeCB3 0ET, UK
Kevin A. Hughes
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, CambridgeCB3 0ET, UK
Scott A.L. Hayward
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, EdgbastonB15 2TT, UK
*
jesamine.bartlett@nina.no
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Abstract

The flightless midge Eretmoptera murphyi is thought to be continuing its invasion of Signy Island via the treads of personnel boots. Current boot-wash biosecurity protocols in the Antarctic region rely on microbial biocides, primarily Virkon® S. As pesticides have limited approval for use in the Antarctic Treaty area, we investigated the efficacy of Virkon® S in controlling the spread of E. murphyi using boot-wash simulations and maximum threshold exposures. We found that E. murphyi tolerates over 8 h of submergence in 1% Virkon® S. Higher concentrations increased effectiveness, but larvae still exhibited > 50% survival after 5 h in 10% Virkon® S. Salt and hot water treatments (without Virkon® S) were explored as possible alternatives. Salt water proved ineffective, with mortality only in first-instar larvae across multi-day exposures. Larvae experienced 100% mortality when exposed for 10 s to 50°C water, but they showed complete survival at 45°C. Given that current boot-wash protocols alone are an ineffective control of this invasive insect, we advocate hot water (> 50°C) to remove soil, followed by Virkon® S as a microbial biocide on ‘clean’ boots. Implications for the spread of invasive invertebrates as a result of increased human activity in the Antarctic region are discussed.

Keywords

biosecurityChironomidaeinvertebrate controlSigny Islandspecies management
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , February 2021 , pp. 1 - 9
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Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2020

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