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Weed Biocontrol articles

  1. Register now for ISBCW 2026!

    Next year, the Bioeconomy Science Institute will be hosting the International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (ISBCW) from 8-13 March 2026 in Rotorua.

  2. African tulip tree beetle exceeds early expectations in Rarotonga

    In mid-June, two Bioeconomy Science Institute, Manaaki Whenua Group staff, Quentin Paynter and Lynley Hayes, travelled to Rarotonga to monitor the establishment and spread of the African tulip tree beetle (Paradibolia coerulea).

  3. It’s time to tackle lagarosiphon

    More than 10 years after first proposing to target lagarosiphon (Lagarosiphon major) for biocontrol, MW-BSI has finally started preparing a release application for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

  4. Spotting trouble early

    Every two years, thousands of rural landowners take part in the Survey of Rural Decision Makers (SRDM) – a nationwide effort to understand what’s happening on the ground in Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. In the last three rounds of the survey (2019, 2021 & 2023) we have included quest...

  5. Heather biochemistry differs between its native and invasive ranges

    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...

  6. A newly established wasp unanimously welcomed

    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 expe...

  7. Progress for taro vine in the Pacific

    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...

  8. The mystery of gregarines in air potato leaf beetles

    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...

  9. Assessment reveals that gorse remains healthy

    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.

  10. Beetle arrival to help Niue

    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.