Economic benefits to Papua New Guinea and Australia from the biological control of banana skipper (<em>Erionota thrax</em>)

Summary

Using the estimated production value of bananas in Papua New Guinea to the year 2020, the losses due to banana skipper each year were calculated. Using a discount rate of 5%, the net present value of lost production amounts to approximately A$301.8 million. The value of damage prevented by biological control is estimated at $201.6 million. The reduction of banana skipper abundance by 90% in southern Papua New Guinea has also reduced the chance of adults invading Australia.