Pathways are any means that lead to entry or spread of pests. Pathway risk analysis entails identifying pathways and assigning the probability of entry, spread, introduction, establishment, or outbreak of a pest through the various pathways, along with the consequences of their introduction. As an example, a schematic quantitative pathway analysis for the number of infested imported avocados entering susceptible areas of the United States annually is presented.

Nomenclature: Avocado, Persea americana Mill. ‘Hass’; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Additional index words: Introduction, outbreak, pest entry, spread.

Abbreviations: PERAL, Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory; CPHST, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology; APHIS-PPQ, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service–Plant Protection and Quarantine.