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Weed Biocontrol articles

  1. Predation and the Tradescantia Leaf Beetle

    The success of the tradescantia leaf beetle has been highly variable in several regions of the country. Beetle predation has been implicated in their failure to establish at some sites. Invasive common and German wasps, paper wasps, shield bugs and stink bugs, and spiders are all suspected to be pot...

  2. A Fresh Search for Old Man’s Beard Pathogens

    In 1996 a leaf fungus called ‘Phoma clematidina isolate’ was collected in the USA and released in NZ for the biocontrol of old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba). This fungal isolate initially caused significant damage at some of the release sites, but after some time it became evident that it had not p...

  3. It Established After All!

    The boneseed leafroller is a moth that was released as a biocontrol agent for boneseed in NZ in 2007. Significant effort went into mass-rearing the moth for widespread releases between 2007 and 2008, but establishment in the North Island was limited, and, after lots of unsuccessful searching, was de...

  4. How Damaging is the Broom Gall Mite?

    Scotch broom was first recorded growing outside of cultivation in NZ in 1872 and has since spread throughout the South Island and lower North Island. Its range expansion has been most pronounced over the past 70 years, particularly very recently on the Central Plateau of the North Island.

  5. Spring Activities

    Most biocontrol agents become active during spring, making it a busy time of year to check release sites and move agents around.

  6. Who's Who in the Biological Control of Weeds

    Comprehensive list of weed biocontrol agents under investigation at Manaaki Whenua.

  7. Further Reading and Agents Released 2021/22

    Recent relevant publications from the Biological Control of Weeds group.

  8. Event videos: Pacific Battler Lounge

    The 'Pacific Battler Lounge' promotes awareness of invasive species issues and activities. This virtual event features video clips and panel discussions.

  9. Selwyn MP, Nicola Grigg, Visits the Lincoln Team

    Following on from the publication of a report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on the issue of weeds in New Zealand, a Parliamentary Select Committee hearing was held to discuss the findings. At the hearing a question about non-chemical control options for weeds came from none o...

  10. Two Recruits to Battle Old Man’s Beard

    Recent efforts to get two biocontrol agents established on old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba), one of New Zealand’s worst invasive weeds, have proven successful. According to Arnaud Cartier, our technician on the project, this last season was full of exciting developments with new populations of the...