Project overview
Moth plant is a vine native to South America from Southern Brazil to Argentina. Moth plant was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental in the 1880’s and prefers a mild climate. It has naturalised throughout the North Island as well as the Nelson/Marlborough area being more common in the warmer climates of the Northern half of the North Island. It grows heavily over other plants, smothering out those below it.
To date, one agent has been released against moth plant in New Zealand, first in 2019; the moth plant beetle, Freudeita cf cuppripennis, a leaf beetle whose larvae feed on the roots. Establishment has been successful following early releases. Additionally, two more agents are proposed for the control of moth plant; the moth plant fruit fly, Anastrepha australis and a rust fungus, Puccinia araujiae.
Anastrepha australis was collected from Uruguay in 2020 and permission to gain release in New Zealand is currently in process. Anastrepha australis larvae feed on the seeds, commonly destroying most of the seeds within an attacked fruit.
There has been difficulty in gaining permission to import the rust fungus Puccinia araujiae into New Zealand and a containment facility to further assess its suitability for release in New Zealand.
