Biosecurity
New Thinking
Containing the spread of hitchhiking pests
The past 50 or so years has seen a dramatic change in the volume, and mode, of international trade. Not only has the volume escalated substantially, but around 90% of it is carried by sea, mostly in containers.
Squeaky-clean shoes for scientists
Over 100 science delegates will converge on Auckland and Rotorua next week for a meeting to discuss micro-organisms whose name means “destroyer of plants”. Hosted by Crown Research Institute Scion, Landcare Research and Auckland Regional Council, the Phytophthora conference has attracted global interest, with representatives from 14 different countries due to attend.
New lighting system to beat bugs
Scientists at Crown Research Institute Scion are trialling a new lighting system to beat off aerial attackers.
Research looks at natural predators for bee threat
Plant and Food Research scientists are investigating ways to control the destructive varroa mite, a cause of major devastation to honey bees.
'Menage-a-trois' plan to put pest moth off scent
New Zealand scientists may suggest to US crop protection agencies that a slightly kinky approach could help eradicate their light brown apple moth pests.
Funding boost for biosecurity
Agresearch chief scientist Dr Stephen Goldson says $2.5 million funding for research into advanced sensors for biosecurity will help the country develop its growing reputation in the field.
Funding fillip for advanced biosecurity system development
Weed enemy makes national debut
A South African moth has been released into New Zealand for the first time. Landcare Research staff have been mass-rearing boneseed leafrollers to do battle against boneseed, a highly invasive coastal plant.
Global war on weevil hots up
UK based researcher Dr Scott Johnson has been working with AgResearch for the past six weeks finding out how to combat the clover root weevil in a warmer climate.
Wilding conifers – when trees go bad
Conifer trees, if sited inappropriately, can go wild and spread in landscapes including the South Island High Country. Landcare Research, Ensis and ECan are developing means of determining which stands of trees pose the greatest weed threat, so as to devise the most effective controls.
New Science
'Evil weevil’ update
Since releasing a tiny Irish wasp in an attempt to control clover root weevil, who is winning: the clover or the weevil?
Invasive fanworm discovered
A new, and definitely unwanted, fanworm species has been found in Lyttleton waters.
Scientists try new Tb-control ideas
Landcare Research scientists will trial new pest-control methods in Marlborough this spring which may pave the way for a dramatic reduction in 1080-poison use in New Zealand.
No Environmental Impact from Genetically Modified Research Trees
Results from New Zealand's most comprehensive, independent scientific field trial of genetically modified trees support the argument that GM trees are low-risk and can be safely introduced into the environment, with no negative effects on other organisms.
Breakthrough in Varroa mite battle
HortResearch scientists could end a threat to the honey and fruit export industry.
ESR has finger on the pulse
The three most common notified bacterial diseases in New Zealand - Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli - are a focus for the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease at Crown Research Institute ESR.
Scion sheds light on insect control
Most people turn off the lights to keep creepy critters away. But Scion is turning them on. The Crown Research Institute is trialling yellow lighting systems as a means of repelling insects, research which could reduce the need for methyl bromide treatments at wood processing sites.
DNA tracks pests on most-wanted list
Landcare Research scientists in Auckland have developed DNA techniques to help identify which wildlife killers have been dining out on other species.
Foot and mouth defences at the ready
The recent foot & mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the UK is a reminder of the threat FMD poses to NZ's livestock industry. NIWA staff are ready to respond to a FMD alarm.
Scents make sense in war against pests
Researchers at HortResearch plan to create special insect scents for use in the biological control of wasps and ants.
New Value
New weapons in the battle for urban biosecurity
Biosecurity officials receive over 10,000 reports of suspected new pests and diseases in New Zealand every year.
Calling all citizen scientists
A smartphone app has been developed to give the public a new way to report sightings of eucalyptus pests.
Improving community resilience to wildfire
The recent spate of wild fires in the South Island is evidence that the current fire season is one of the worst in recent years.
Greater flexibility for quarantine treatments
Some of the tight scheduling pressures around log exports for ports and log marshalling companies have been eased, thanks to Scion’s forest protection scientists.
New science facility boosts biosecurity and conservation
A new state-of-the-art plant pathogen (disease) containment facility marks a significant step forward in New Zealand’s battle against invasive weeds
Karori perch pests successfully culled
Electro-fishing and netting have successfully reduced perch numbers in a conservation safe haven.
Kiwis help get rid of supermice
Landcare Research consultants have been advising the British Government how to rid two small Atlantic islands of giant mice, so big they eat albatross chicks.
Irish wasp here to stay...
But not in Northland, according to AgResearch.
What risk from alien fish?
The risk posed by alien fish to to our freshwater species can now be evaluated, thanks to modelling work by NIWA scientists.
Keeping New Zealanders safe
SARs, avian flu, influenza, economic biosecurity, counter-terrorism around biological and chemical threats, and other threats at microbial level. This takes top people to keep New Zealand safe, and now they have top facilities as ESR opens its new site at Wallaceville, Upper Hutt.
