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Home
Publications
Weed Biocontrol newsletter
2023 Weed Biocontrol articles
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Issues
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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
Issue 97, August 2021
Issue 96, May 2021
Issue 95, February 2021
Issue 94, November 2020
Issue 93, August 2020
Issue 92, May 2020
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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2020
Weed Biocontrol in the Cook Islands Shows the Way for Others
1 December 2023
MWLR is assisting eight developing countries in the Pacific to develop biocontrol programmes for their most problematic invasive weeds as part of the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
The Highs and Lows of Cost–Benefit Analyses
1 December 2023
Since the 1920’s New Zealand has released 69 biocontrol agents against 28 weed species. Notable successes that have been analysed economically include the suppression of pasture weeds such as ragwort (Jacobaeae vulgaris) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
The Economic Benefits of Two Beetles
1 December 2023
Does anyone remember St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)? This nasty plant was one of the four worst weeds in New Zealand in the 1930s. St. John’s wort infestations were particularly serious in hill-country grazing land, reducing productivity and poisoning livestock due to a toxin known as hyperic...
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Summer Activities
1 December 2023
Summer is a busy time for many biocontrol agents, so you might need to schedule the following activities.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Who's Who in the Biological Control of Weeds
4 September 2023
Comprehensive list of weed biocontrol agents under investigation at Manaaki Whenua.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Spring Activities
4 September 2023
Most biocontrol agents become active during spring, making it a busy time of year to check release sites and move agents around.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Further Reading & Biocontrol Agents Released in 2022/23
4 September 2023
Den Breeyen A, Lange C, Fowler SV 2022. Plant pathogens as introduced weed biological control agents: could antagonistic fungi be important factors determining agent success or failure? Frontiers in Fungal Biology 3: 959753. DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.959753
Falla C, Minor M, Harrington K, Paynter Q, ...
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Mutualism, Malaysia and Molecular Biology
24 August 2023
In 2019, Manaaki Whenua’s weed biocontrol team decided to take a page from the biologist’s textbook when looking for collaborators to assist with developing weed biocontrol agents for novel targets in Vanuatu. Mutualism refers to a situation when two entities form a relationship that is mutually ben...
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Shedding Light on Herbivore Preference
24 August 2023
Despite its warm and fuzzy name, woolly nightshade is anything but! Introduced as a garden plant in the 1800s, woolly nightshade has spread insidiously across our landscapes to become one of New Zealand’s worst weeds.
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
Are Gorse Seed Feeders Hungry Enough for Change?
24 August 2023
Gorse was originally introduced to New Zealand early in the 19th century as a hedging plant. At the time, having a prickly plant to keep the animals in and the neighbours out probably seemed like a good idea. But fast forward to today and it is one of the most complained about weeds in New Zealand. ...
Newsletter
Weed biocontrol
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