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Issue 103, Feb 2023 articles

  1. Refreshed Webpages and a Social Media Platform

    Last month the weed biocontrol team at MWLR moved further into digital science communication and social media. Recognising that digital platforms are a very important avenue for generating public awareness and perceptions of weed biocontrol, we have undertaken a restructuring of our website pages a...

  2. A New Tool for Prioritising Biocontrol Targets

    In New Zealand the number of native plant species (2,414) is outnumbered by the 2,430 naturalised, exotic plant species. Given such a high number of exotic plant species, the limited resources for tackling weed invasions must be prioritised effectively. The National Biocontrol Collective (NBC) is a ...

  3. Is Lagarosiphon a Good Target?

    Lagarosiphon is one of New Zealand’s worst invasive aquatic weeds, and it is the first aquatic plant to be targeted for biocontrol here. Native to southern Africa, lagarosiphon has become problematic in regions outside its native range where it was intentionally introduced as an ornamental, includin...

  4. Do Antagonistic Fungi Interfere with Successful Biocontrol?

    Weed biocontrol is one of the best weed management options, but the outcomes of weed biocontrol programmes are variable. Quantitative data documenting agent impact is often limited, with most reports of significant impact either anecdotal or subjective, but the most recent assessment suggests that 2...

  5. A Wasp for a Weedy Wattle

    We’re very excited to report that we have a new biocontrol agent in our midst. Dubbed ‘the friendliest wasp in the world’ by funder and collaborator Craig Davey (Horizons Regional Council), a bud-galling wasp (Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae) was released against Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longi...

  6. Autumn Activities

    Weed biocontrol activities to undertake this season