ABSTRACT
Eradicating a population — removing every last individual — is a seductive but highly controversial idea. Some question the value of attempting eradication of well-established, widespread populations (e.g., Dahlsten, 1986; Rejmanek in Borenstein, 1999). Probably some of the skepticism arises from several highly visible, costly failures (Newsom, 1978). Perhaps the worst was the attempt to eradicate the imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) from the southeastern U.S. (Davidson and Stone, 1989). This was such a catastrophe in terms of collateral damage (impacts on nontargets, including humans) and expense (over $200 million) that E.O. Wilson has termed it the Vietnam of entomology (Brody, 1975).
