Assessing the complexity of the spreading processes of agricultural pests: the case of the Guatemalan potato moth in Tenerife

Abstract Potato pests should be considered complex issues with multiple interrelated causes and impacts. These pests cause serious socioeconomic and environmental damage. Several management approaches based on chemical, physical and cultural control methods (among others) have been traditionally applied to deal with such infestations. However, pests' spreading processes often seem virtually unstoppable. Considering that the potato is the fourth most important crop worldwide, this is a major problem, which needs to be tackled from both a global and local perspective.