Biological Control Agents

Biological control of Woolly Nightshade

Gargaphia Decoris
Gargaphia Decoris

Woolly nightshade is a weed in New Zealand. It forms dense canopies that prevent the establishment of other species. A consortium composed of regional councils and the Department of Conservation (DOC) applied to release the lace bug Gargaphia decoris as a biological control agent.

The benefits to the environment were found to outweigh any risks and the agent was approved for release by ERMA in 2009.

Application details for NOR08003

Biological control of Tradescantia

Tradescantia Beetle
Neolema ogloblini

A consortium of regional councils and the Department of Conservation (DOC) applied to release the Brazilian beetle Neolema ogloblini as a biological control agent for the weed Tradescantia fluminensis.

ERMA New Zealand approved the application on 1 November 2008. The beetle is the first agent to be approved for release, of a proposed suite of agents that are aimed at controlling Tradescantia.  

Application details for NOR07001

Biological control of californian thistle

Ceratapion onopordi
Ceratapion onopordi
Cassida rubiginosa
Cassida rubiginosa

Californian Thistle Action Group (CalTAG) applied to import for release a weevil, Ceratapion onopordi (Brentidae) and a beetle, Cassida rubiginosa (Chrysomelidae) for the biological control of the weed Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense). ERMA New Zealand approved the application on the 17 th of April 2007. Both organisms' larvae feed on and debilitate either the stems or leaves of a number of thistle species.

Application details for NOR06005

Biological control of scotch broom

Agonopterix assimilella
Agonopterix assimilella - broom shoot moth
Gonioctena olivacea
Gonioctena olivacea - broom leaf beetle

The Canterbury Broom Group, assisted by Landcare Research, submitted an application to introduce broom shoot moth (Agonopterix assimilella) and broom leaf beetle (Gonioctena olivacea), to New Zealand for the biological control of broom. The insects feed on broom's green stems and leaves, and ring-bark its twigs and branches.

ERMA New Zealand approved the application on the 25th July 2006, following a public meeting in Christchurch, where Authority members heard from the Canterbury Broom Group in support of its application.

Application details for NOR05003

Biological control of ragwort

Ragwort Crown Borer
Cochylis atricapitana - ragwort crown borer
Ragwort Plume Moth
Platyptilia isodactyla - ragwort plume moth

Landcare Research submitted an application to release two moth species (Cochylis atricapitana and Platyptilia isodactyla) to aid the activities of the biological control agents for ragwort. These two species are expected to succeed in the wetter West Coast regions where previous agents have failed to be effective. Ragwort is considered to be one of the most serious weeds affecting pastoral farming in New Zealand as it replaces productive pasture and is either avoided by stock or if consumed can have significant impacts on animal health.

No hearing was held for this application and the Authority approved the release of the moths in December 2005.

Application details for NOR05002

Biological control of clover root weevil

Clover Root Weevil
Microctonus aethiopoides preparing to parasitise clover root weevil

Agresearch submitted the first conditional release application in the form of a request to release a parthenogenetic strain of the parasitic wasp Microctonus aethiopoides for the biological control of clover root weevil. The applicant chose the conditional release pathway as it allowed the application of a control limiting any approval to this particular strain which being parthenogenetic would not hybridise and impact adversely on an existing strain that acts as a control agent for lucerne weevil. Clover root weevil is a significant pest of New Zealand's main pasture species and the wasp is desired as a part of an integrated pest management programme.

A public hearing was held at the ERMA New Zealand offices on 14 October 2005 and a decision to approve conditional release of the parasitic wasp was notified on the 8 November 2005.

Application details for NOR05001

Biological control of boneseed

Boneseed
Boneseed flowers and fruits

An application was received from Environment Canterbury to release the boneseed leafroller (Tortrix s.l. sp. "chrysanthemoides") for the control of the conservation estate weed boneseed. Boneseed is originally from South Africa and is commonly found in the coastal environments of New Zealand. By forming dense thickets boneseed can displace native vegetation by shading-out native seedlings. It is the caterpillar stage of the boneseed leafroller moth that has a direct impact on boneseed by webbing leaves together and feeding within this shelter.

Following a public hearing the Authority approved the release of the boneseed leafroller in February 2005.

Application details for NOR03001

Biological control of buddleia

Cleopus japonicus - buddleia leaf weevil
Cleopus japonicus or feeding damage of buddleia

An application was received from Ensis (formally Forest Research) to release a weevil for the control of the weed pest buddleia (Buddleja davidii). Buddleia is considered a weed of forestry plantations and by some of the conservation estate, particularly in eastern central North Island. Buddleia is reported to be costing the forestry industry $0.5 to 2.9 million annually in control and lost production, and there are concerns that it is displacing valued native species.

Ensis wish to release from containment an insect biological control agent Cleopus japonicus, or buddleia leaf weevil the effects of which they have been studying for over ten years. The small (5mm) brown weevil produces slug-like larvae of a similar size that feed on the leaves reducing growth rate, and killing small plants.

A hearing to consider this application was held in Rotorua on the 7th of April 2004 and was well attended by a number of interested parties. As a result of information obtained at this hearing and subsequent considerations the Authority has requested that Ensis conduct further host-specificity testing to determine any potential detrimental effects of approving the release of this weevil. On receiving the results of the further host-specificity the Authority reconvened and approved the release of Cleopus japonicus, a decision that was announced on the 30 November 2005.

Application details for NOR02001

Biological control of hawkweed

Heiracium
Hawkweed

An application was lodged by the Hieracium Control Trust to release from containment three new organisms: the hieracium gall fly, Macrolabis pilosellae, the root-feeding hover fly, Cheilosia urbana (formerly C. praecox) and the crown-feeding hover fly, C. psilophthalma (Syrphidae).

These three insect species have been identified by Landcare Research and CABI Bioscience (CAB International, UK) as part of a suite of six potential control agents likely to have the greatest impact as biological control agents for hawkweeds, Hieracium species (Asteraceae), in New Zealand.

Following a public hearing regarding this application the Authority approved the release of all three insect species on 27 June 2001.

Application details for NOR00001

Biological control of mistflower

Gallfly
Procecidochares alani

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has applied to import and release into New Zealand the insect gall fly, Procecidochares alani to act as a biological control of mist flower which it says is a serious plant pest in conservation areas in Northland and is becoming a problem in Auckland.

The ARC says mist flower grows densely in near streams and in the semi shade of forests where it forms a dense mat limiting forest regeneration and is a threat to rare plants that grow in these areas. They believe that the gall fly, with a wing span of just 8mm will insert its eggs into the mist flower plant and when these hatch and the gall fly larvae emerge, they will feed on the mist flower, reducing its growth and allowing the native species to regenerate.

This was the first application for the importation of a biological control agent to deal with a weed species since the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act came into effect in July 1998.

Following a public hearing and subsequent consideration of the issues the Authority approved this application on 23 September 2000.

Application details for NOR99004 and NOC98002

Biological control of thrips

Tiny Wasp
Thripobius semiluteus

The Avocado Industry Council and the New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc has applied to import and release into New Zealand a new parasitoid, Thripobius semiluteus for the control of greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis.

The parasitoid T. semiluteus, is a tiny wasp, measuring 0.6 mm in length (about half the size of a pinhead) which lays it eggs in larval thrips - eventually killing them before they hatch.

This and application NOR99001 were the first to be considered under the new organisms provisions of the HSNO Act which came into effect 1998. The application was notified on 22 January 2000 and interested parties, including the public were invited to make submissions.

Following consideration of these issues in relation to this application the Authority approved the release of the parasitoid on 24 June 2001

Application details for NOR99002

Biological control of mealybug

Pip Fruit Insect
Pseudaphycus maculipennis

An application was received on 16 April 1999 from the Hawkes Bay Pip Fruit Growers IFP Group to import and release into New Zealand the insect paristoid, Pseudaphycus maculipennis for the biological control of the obscure mealybug which damages pip fruit crops.

The tiny wasp P. maculipennis is about 1.0 to 1.5 mm long, (or about the size of pin head) and is incapable of harming human beings. The obscure mealybug, also known as bakers mealybug was introduced into New Zealand in the 1920s. The wasp lays its eggs inside the developing obscure mealybug eventually killing it.

This and application NOR99002 were the first to be considered under the new organisms provisions of the HSNO Act which came into effect 1998.

As this was a full release application, the Authority was required to take into account the environmental and health impacts of the organism being introduced into New Zealand. The Authority was also required to take account of Maori values and culture.

Following a public hearing and subsequent consideration of the application the Authority approved it on 16 August 2000

Application details for NOR99001

 

Last updated January 2009