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Weed Biocontrol newsletter
Weed Biocontrol articles
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Issue 107, February 2024
Issue 106, November 2023
Issue 105, August 2023
Issue 104, May 2023
Issue 103, Feb 2023
Issue 102, November 2022
Issue 101, August 2022
Issue 100, May 2022
Issue 99, February 2022
Issue 98, November 2021
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Issue 96, May 2021
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Issue 94, November 2020
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Issue 91, February 2020
Issue 108, May 2024
Issue 109, August 2024
Issue 110, November 2024
Issue 111, February 2025
Issue 112, May 2025
Issue 113, August 2025
Issue 114, November 2025
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Heather biochemistry differs between its native and invasive ranges
13 June 2025
All plants have a biochemical profile, which can be altered by abiotic conditions such as light and nutrient availability and biotic factors such as herbivory and plant pathogens. In issue 99 we wrote about plant metabolomics (the study of plant biochemistry at the molecular level) and how it can af...
News
Weed biocontrol
A newly established wasp unanimously welcomed
13 June 2025
The bud-galling wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae was released at two sites in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region against Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) in December 2022 and 2023. We are now excited to report that this agent has successfully established at both sites and numbers are expect...
News
Weed biocontrol
Progress for taro vine in the Pacific
13 June 2025
MWLR’s biological control programme against Devil’s ivy, also known more commonly in the Pacific as taro vine (Epipremnum pinnatum cv. ‘Aureum’), began in 2020 when the weed was chosen as a novel target for work under the Managing Invasive Species for Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific (MISCCA...
News
Weed biocontrol
The mystery of gregarines in air potato leaf beetles
13 June 2025
When conducting a routine screening of the air potato leaf beetle for disease, MWLR technicians discovered gregarines in the intestines of the beetles. This spurred a thorough investigation of where these gregarines came from as well as a lengthy process to get rid of the gregarines in the leaf beet...
News
Weed biocontrol
Assessment reveals that gorse remains healthy
14 March 2025
Gorse biocontrol began in the 1930s with the release of the gorse seed weevil, which was intended to reduce the spread of gorse but not affect its use as a hedging plant.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Beetle arrival to help Niue
14 March 2025
In November last year Niue welcomed the air potato leaf beetle (Lilioceris cheni), which researchers hope will turn the tide against the invasive weed known as air potato.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Vanuatu welcomes pico beetle
14 March 2025
In November, MWLR and our partners in Vanuatu released the pico beetle to tackle the spread of the invasive weed prickly solanum
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Disentangling food webs with old man’s beard leaf miner
14 March 2025
The old man’s beard leaf miner was introduced into New Zealand to help control the introduced clematis vine, old man’s beard. However, old man’s beard leaf miners are parasitised in New Zealand, reducing their impacts on old man’s beard.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Autumn Activities 2025
14 March 2025
There are a few things you might want to fit in before winter sets in.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
First ever release of Chilean needle grass rust for biocontrol
5 December 2024
We are excited to report that we have completed the world’s first release of a fungal pathogen biocontrol agent for an invasive grass: the Chilean needle grass rust (Uromyces pencanus). Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) is a perennial, tufted grass native to South America. It forms dense clum...
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
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