bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techniques for detecting Actinidia resistance to leafrollers
Authors: McKenna C.E. , Dobson S.J. , Connolly P.G.
Published: October 2019

Hayward and Hort16A kiwifruit are susceptible to attack by the brownheaded leafroller (BHLR) Ctenopseustis obliquana but the incidence and severity of damage to Hayward can be twice that of Hort16A Three bioassay techniques were tested for their ability to detect differences in the relative susceptibility of the two kiwifruit cultivars to BHLR larvae No differences were detected when larvae were reared on artificial diets containing Hayward or Hort16A plant material Significantly more larvae survived when reared on Hayward versus Hort16A leaf discs Caging larvae onto leaves and fruit resulted in significantly more damage to Hayward compared with Hort16A Measuring larval survival after 21 days on leaf discs or the incidence and severity of damage caused by larvae caged on leaves or fruit are both potential techniques for screening Actinidia plant material for resistance to leafrollers
Monitoring onion crops for onion thrips Thrips tabaci
Authors: Martin N.A. , Workman P.J. , Hedderley D.
Published: October 2019

Onion thrips Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera Thripidae) is the main insect pest on New Zealand onions The onion industry recommends monitoring 50 or 100 plants in 10 or 20 groups of 5 plants and applying a cluster of insecticides when populations reach 01 thrips/plant The robustness of these guidelines was tested by monitoring six crops before and after the first cluster of insecticides Two people each recorded the numbers of adult and larval thrips in each crop on each occasion using the following strategies (1) 100 randomly stratified plants (2) 20 groups of five plants randomly selected from 1 m2 and (3) 20 groups of five adjacent plants giving a total of 300 plants sampled When sampling 100 plants estimates of thrips/plant were similar for each of the three sampling strategies However to obtain a particular level of precision fewer plants could be sampled using stratified randomly selected plants than groups of five plants
Potential spread of pests in New Zealand through commercial transport of nursery plants
Authors: McNeill M.R. , Phillips C.B. , Bell N.L. , Proffitt J.R.
Published: October 2019

This study assessed the potential for plant pests to be transported within New Zealand in association with shipments of plants among commercial nurseries in North and South Islands Searches of soil and litter sampled from three deliveries of nursery plants to Christchurch indicated there is enormous potential to vector plant pests on this pathway A diversity of nematodes seeds and arthropods was recovered including Trichodorid and Xiphinema nematodes which can vector some plant viruses and currently have limited distributions in New Zealand This small survey showed that transport of nursery plants must be an important pathway for the dispersal of a wide range of organisms within New Zealand Not only is there a direct threat to the nursery plant industry from the activity of some pest species but also there is the obvious potential to spread pathogens and arthropod pests into the wider environment
Use of sulfuryl fluoride as an alternative fumigant to methyl bromide in export log fumigation
Authors: Zhang Z.
Published: October 2019

As the deadline for phasing out the use of methyl bromide as a fumigant approaches alternative fumigants are being evaluated Sulfuryl fluoride has emerged as a promising alternative and is gaining increasing acceptance in Europe This study showed that sulfuryl fluoride was an effective fumigant for the control of Arhopalus tristis adults at the lowest concentration tested (15 g/m3) while 120 g/m3 was required for full control of A tristis eggs Sulfuryl fluoride also gave total control of Hylastes ater adults and larvae at 15 g/m3 Sulfuryl fluoride showed potential to control the eight fungi tested in this study with a concentration level of at least 30 g/m3 required for full control of the eight fungi tested
Efficacy of root digestion and maceration in determining abundance of rootinhabiting nematodes
Authors: Rohan T.C. , Bell N.L. , Lee N.D.F. , Aalders L.T.
Published: October 2019

Alternatives were sought to the standard root staining and plate counting technique for determining abundance of rootinhabiting plant parasitic nematodes as it is time consuming and laborious The use of KOH cellulase pectinase EDTA sodium hypochlorite bleach root staining or tap water alone or in combination with heating or maceration in a Waring blender was investigated as tools for extracting the root knot (Meloidogyne) clover cyst (Heterodera) and lesion (Pratylenchus) nematodes from white clover (Trifolium repens) roots Abundance of nematodes extracted from and remaining in roots after maceration was determined to assess the efficacy of the various treatments The best method involved staining roots by the standard method followed by a 10 second pulse of blender maceration For seedlings extraction of M trifoliophila nematodes by the best maceration method was not significantly different to that of the standard method but macerated samples took ca 6x less time to assess than the standard method
Monitoring leafrollers (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) in vineyards
Authors: Lo P.L. , Walker J.T.S.
Published: October 2019

Leafroller larvae especially Epiphyas postvittana damage grape bunches and more importantly promote spread of the disease botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) Three methods of monitoring leafrollers were compared on 10 Hawkes Bay vineyard blocks The methods were timed searches of leaves for larvae inspection of bunches for larvae and pheromone trapping of adult males Seasonal changes in leafroller abundance were similar on all vineyards Usually few larvae were found until February but infestations increased greatly between then and March In other respects leafroller infestations were variable between and sometimes within blocks None of the monitoring methods was completely successful The most useful method was bunch inspection primarily because of the close correlation between bunch infestations in January and at harvest However this method is relatively laborious and did not give enough warning to enable use of some insecticides Leafroller infestations on leaves in all months and pheromone trap data were poor predictors of harvest bunch damage
Laboratory assays for selection of Botrytis suppressive microorganisms on necrotic grape leaf discs
Authors: Walter M. , Zydenbos S.M. , Jaspers M.V. , Stewart A.
Published: October 2019

Isolates of saprophytic fungi (n209) were evaluated for biological control potential against Botrytis cinerea using in vitro dual plate and necrotic grape leaf disc assays Interrupted wetness periods were introduced during the 40day assay to select for disease suppressive saprophytic fungi with a high tolerance to fluctuating dry and wet periods Leaf disc assays were highly reproducible with relative rankings of the test isolates being similar over three assays In the absence of antagonists B cinerea sporulation increased during the 40day incubation to cover over 90 of the leaf disc area in conidiophores However in the presence of antagonists B cinerea sporulation was heavily reduced with the top seven isolates having less than 10 coverage relative to the control Thirteen isolates representing four genera Alternaria spp Epicoccum spp Trichoderma spp and Ulocladium spp have been identified for further laboratory testing prior to selection of a limited number of isolates for field evaluation
Predicting the seasonal phenology of fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) in New Zealand
Authors: Kean J.M. , Kumarasinghe L.B.
Published: October 2019

A cohortbased model for the seasonal phenology of the blackheaded strain of the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera Arctiidae) was constructed from published development rates for each life stage Model predictions were successfully verified against field observations from Japan China Italy Serbia and the USA The model was then used to predict phenology in New Zealand and the potential for establishment near major ports Populations are predicted to be bivoltine in the north and univoltine in central areas but are unlikely to form selfsustaining populations south of Timaru Fall webworm demonstrated the ability to adapt to specific local conditions after its invasion of Japan so the risk may be greater than these results suggest Successful validation of the model means that it could be used to inform surveillance and control operations targeting fall webworm outbreaks overseas and potential invasions into new ranges such as New Zealand
Development rates longevity and fecundity of sixspotted mite (Eotetranychus sexmaculatus) at constant temperatures
Authors: Jamieson L.E. , Stevens P.S.
Published: October 2019

Sixspotted mite (Eotetranychus sexmaculatus) is a key pest of avocados in New Zealand Sixspotted mite feeding on leaves can cause excessive leaf drop and a subsequent reduction in tree productivity and yield Sixspotted mite development longevity and fecundity were determined at six constant temperatures (10 13 18 21 25 30C) on avocado leaf discs No larvae hatched from eggs at 10C The number of days to complete egg development ranged from 53 days at 30C to 239 days at 13C Total developmental time (egg to adult) ranged from 296 days at 18C to 11 days at 30C Mean adult longevity ranged from 188 days at 30C to 414 days at 18C The number of eggs laid per female ranged from 69 to 209 Degreeday models were developed for eggs larvae and nymphs It was estimated that 2028 degreedays above a threshold temperature of 122C were required to complete development from egg to adult
The effectiveness of two brushing systems for post harvest disinfestation of kiwifruit
Authors: Stevens P.S. , McKenna C.E.
Published: October 2019

The presence of some insect and mite species on kiwifruit at harvest can cause quarantine problems in some overseas markets There is potential to remove these passenger pests using physical handling methods such as the fruit brushing systems that are currently used in packhouses The abilities of two types of post harvest brushing systems to remove surface dwelling insects and mites from kiwifruit were compared Bins of naturally infested fruit were passed through two contrasting post harvest brushing systems and levels of infestations subsequently compared with unbrushed fruit Both brushing systems removed more than 85 of Collembola thrips mites and small beetles However armoured scale insects were not removed and a relatively low proportion of whirlygig mite (Anystis baccarum) cocoons was removed There were no significant differences between the two brushing systems
Influence of trap colour design and height on catch of flying clover root weevil adults
Authors: Hardwick S. , Harens B.
Published: October 2019

Adult clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus CRW) catches on sticky traps of different colours design and height were evaluated in two field experiments carried out on the outskirts of Hamilton in the summer of 19992000 In Experiment 1 yellow cylinder traps placed at a height of 1200 mm caught the most CRW In Experiment 2 both white and yellow cylinder traps placed at a height of 1200 mm were equally attractive to CRW adults In both experiments fewer CRW adults were caught on cylinder traps of all colours set 400 mm above the ground Cylinder traps painted red green and blue and set 1200 mm above the ground caught similar numbers of insects to traps of all colours set at 400 mm In Experiment 2 flat traps with a sticky surface that was parallel to the ground caught very few weevils irrespective of their colour and height
Potential strategies to manage bronze beetle (Eucolaspsis sp) in organic apple orchards
Authors: Rogers D.J. , Cole L.M. , Fraser T.M. , Walker J.T.S.
Published: October 2019

Bronze beetle (Eucolaspsis sp Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) threatens the viability of New Zealands organic pipfruit industry Small plot cultivation trials were conducted during spring to target immature beetles in the soil in a 25 m strip under apple trees A single cultivation treatment in October prevented 56 to 81 of the beetle population from emerging When plots were tilled every second week from October to December 79 to 95 failed to emerge The pattern and timing of bronze beetle emergence during 2006 was consistent between the four trial orchards and with the 2005 season A survey of 20 orchards during November 2006 was unable to link beetle damage levels with management practices and the physical environment New strategies to manage bronze beetle larvae are discussed
In vitro fungicide testing for control of avocado fruit rots
Authors: Everett K.R. , Timudo-Torrevilla O.E.
Published: October 2019

Avocado fruit rots are most commonly caused by five fungi Colletotrichum acutatum C gloeosporioides Botryosphaeria parva B dothidea and Phomopsis sp These rots are controlled by applying copper fungicides in the field on eight occasions during the season Alternatives to standard copper fungicides were screened in the laboratory against these five pathogens for inhibition of spore germination and mycelial growth In total seven fungicides were tested (boscalid boscalid/pyraclostrobin three formulations of copper hydroxide copper hydroxosulphate and dithianon) The effective concentration at which 50 of spore germination or mycelial growth was inhibited (EC50) was calculated for each fungicide The EC50 values for spore germination were lowest for boscalid/pyraclostrobin and dithianon and were le;185 g/ml against all five test fungi For boscalid/pyraclostrobin all EC50 values were le;7 g/ml Copper formulations effectively inhibited spore germination by 50 at concentrations ranging from 01 g/ml to 141 g/ml but were less effective against mycelial growth
Monitoring scrub weed change in the Canterbury region using satellite imagery
Authors: Shepherd J.D. , Dymond J.R. , Cuff J.R.I.
Published: October 2019

The spatial change of woody vegetation in the Canterbury region was automatically mapped between 1990 and 2001 using Landsat satellite image mosaics The intersection of valid data from these mosaics gave coverage of 84 of the Canterbury region Changes in woody cover greater than 5 ha were identified Of the 5 ha areas of woody change only those that were likely to have been a scrub change were selected using ancillary thematic data for current vegetation cover (eg afforestation and deforestation were excluded) This resulted in 2466 polygons of potential scrub change These polygons were rapidly checked by visual assessment of the satellite imagery and assigned to exotic or indigenous scrub change categories Between 1990 and 2001 the total scrub weed area in the Canterbury region increased by 3600 400 ha and indigenous scrub increased by 2300 400 ha
The phenology of Cydia succedana on gorse in Canterbury
Authors: Sixtus C.R. , Scott R.R. , Hill G.D.
Published: October 2019

The phenology of Cydia succedana an introduced seedfeeder of Ulex europaeus was investigated Pheromone traps were set out at McLeans Island Christchurch a warm lowland site and Hinewai Reserve Banks Peninsula a cool upland site to observe the phenology of C succedana at two different altitudes and climatic conditions Moth populations were estimated by the mean number of male moths caught in the traps The phenology of C succedana was synchronised with the first U europaeus flowering in springsummer Significantly more male moths were captured at McLeans Island from October 2002 to February 2003
Interactions between nodding thistle seed predators
Authors: Groenteman R. , Kelly D. , Fowler S.V. , Bourd?t G.W.
Published: October 2019

The biological control program against nodding thistle Carduus nutans commenced in New Zealand in 1972 with the introduction of the receptacle weevil Rhinocyllus conicus Seed predation by the larvae of this univoltine weevil did not bring about the desired reduction in nodding thistle populations and in 1992 a further seed predator was introduced the bivoltine gall fly Urophora solstitialis Possible interference between these two nichesharing agents may have resulted in lessthanadditive seed predation This recent study quantified the interactions between the two agents for the first time in New Zealand and found the mean number of gall flies per seedhead was reduced by 4693 in the presence of the receptacle weevil This suggests that the weevil may limit the gall flys populations thus reducing seed predation later in the nodding thistle flowering period The potential effects of this reduced attack on nodding thistle population growth rate were simulated using an existing matrix model
Ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus) distribution in relation to topography and management on seven high country properties in the South Island
Authors: Tozer K.N. , Marshall A.J. , Sedcole J.R. , Edwards G.R.
Published: October 2019

Seeds of ripgut brome an annual grass can contaminate the wool pelt and carcasses of sheep grazing on high country properties The distribution of ripgut brome on seven high country properties in Marlborough Canterbury and Otago was determined during December 2006 to February 2007 The presence of ripgut brome was measured in paddocks of different management intensities at altitudes ranging from 400 to 1400 m Ripgut brome grass presence was lower in sites managed less intensively (eg less fertiliser and oversowing) in hard than laxly grazed sites and in sites of high exotic perennial grass cover It was more prevalent on stock camps than off stock camps and on steeper slopes and sunny aspects but was unaffected by legume cover shrub presence or altitude The results suggest that increased grazing intensity and enhanced plant competition are methods that may be used to suppress ripgut brome on hill and high country properties
Influences of crop rotation tillage residue management and winter cover crop on takeall in spring wheat
Authors: Cromey M.G. , Francis G.S. , Trimmer L.A. , Tabley F.J. , Gillespie R.N. , Fraser P.M. , Pearson A.J. , Butler R.C. , Curtin D. , Bithell S.L.
Published: October 2019

The effects of soil and residue management factors (tillage postharvest crop residue management and winter cover crops) and crop rotation (wheat following two barley crops wheat following ryegrass) on take all were compared in a 3year field trial in Canterbury Incidence of takeall was very high in plots that had previously grown barley and very low in plots that followed ryegrass Takeall incidence was also much greater in plots that were disced than in plots that were directdrilled Differences in soil pH and in plant emergence were also recorded between disced and directdrilled plots but there was no evidence that they caused the increased levels of takeall There was a tendency towards reduced yields in the disced plots that had severe levels of takeall
Conditions surrounding the outbreak of yellow dwarf virus in autumn/wintersown cereals in Canterbury during 2005
Authors: Teulon D.A.J. , Till C.M. , Van_Toor R.F.
Published: October 2019

To understand the factors contributing to a severe outbreak of yellow dwarf virus (YDV) in autumn/wintersown wheat in Canterbury in 2005 records of winged cerealinhabiting yellow dwarf virustransmitting aphids caught in the 75 m Lincoln suction trap and the degree day accumulations of ambient temperatures at Lincoln (from 1982 to 2006) were examined as measures of virus infection resulting from primary and secondary aphid infestation respectively The results strongly suggest that infestation by winged aphids into cereal crops was higher than usual throughout winter in 2005 The unusually warm May to August (especially July and August) 2005 enabled a greater than usual aphid buildup (ie through increased development and reproduction) in the crop at this time spreading YDV The unusually high numbers of flying aphids trapped in late spring were the result of additional aphid buildup in cereal crops in September and October The results emphasise the need to include measures of secondary aphid infestation and virus infection in future YDV forecasts
Effect of age on the reproductive fitness of Platygaster demades an egg parasitoid of apple leafcurling midge
Authors: Sandanayaka W.R.M. , Chhagan A.
Published: October 2019

Platygaster demades is an egg parasitoid of the apple leafcurling midge (ALCM) Dasineura mali Each P demades female carries a mean preovipositional load of 1380 263 eggs Females fed with buckwheat nectar lived a maximum of 10 weeks at 15C The agedependent reproduction of female P demades was determined by a laboratory experiment at room temperature ALCM eggs on apple shoots were exposed to 1 2 4 8 and 10weekold individual P demades females and ALCM larvae that emerged from the parasitised eggs were reared on fresh apple shoots and allowed to pupate on a layer of moist soil The numbers and sex of adult P demades that emerged from the ALCM pupae were recorded Older females (8 and 10 weeks old) were able to locate and parasitise host eggs and produced as many offspring as younger females The implication of the results in terms of the reproductive fitness of P demades is discussed
Effect of host age on searching and oviposition behaviour of Diaeretiella rapae (MIntosh) (Hymenoptera Aphidiidae)
Authors: Kant R. , Sandanayaka W.R.M. , He X.Z. , Wang Q.
Published: October 2019

Diaeretiella rapae is an important biological control agent of cabbage aphid Host searching handling and oviposition behaviour were investigated in relation to host age The parasitoid spent 61 of her foraging time searching for hosts Host handling time of the parasitoid decreased with increased number of host encounters The females were more successful in finding older hosts (7 days old) and spent more time (949 205 s/encounter) and did more stings (99 14/encounter) on them than the younger hosts They preferred to sting the abdomen rather than the thorax head or legs of the host The average number of eggs laid per host was highest (14 02 eggs) in 7dayold hosts When attacking 7dayold hosts they gained 42 success in ovipositing the host compared to 10 18 and 30 success in 1 3 and 5dayold hosts respectively Results suggest that D rapae may have adaptive preference for larger hosts and mass production could be more efficient by using 7dayold aphids
Arbuscular mycorrhiza improve apple rootstock growth in soil conducive to specific apple replant disease
Authors: Ridgway H.J. , Kandula J. , Stewart A.
Published: October 2019

Specific apple replant disease (SARD) impairs the growth and establishment of trees in replanted apple orchards Apple roots are normally colonised by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) which may have beneficial effects on plant growth Four AMF inoculation treatments (three species of AMF Glomus mosseae Acaulospora laevis and Scutellospora calospora and an uninoculated control) were applied to M26 apple rootstock seedlings in SARD and nonSARD soil Of the fungi inoculated S calospora had the greatest beneficial effect in improving shoot and root dry weight and shoot length in SARD soil More disease symptoms occurred on main and feeder roots in SARD soil and none of the inoculated AMF fungi reduced these Both A laevis and S calospora significantly increased shoot length and gave a higher percentage of AMFcolonised roots in nonSARD soil These results showed that AMF improve tolerance of apple to SARD and indicate that the beneficial effect is species specific Characterisation of endogenous mycorrhizae in the soil identified S pellucida This is a new species record for New Zealand and provides the opportunity to determine whether the beneficial effect is specific to the genus Scutellospora
Nutrient nitrogen management for disease control in strawberry
Authors: Walter M. , Braithwaite B. , Smith B.J. , Langford G.I.
Published: October 2019

Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are important strawberry pathogens Nitrogen (N) application can increase yield but also susceptibility to pathogens Strawberry plants (Camarosa and Ventana) were grown in sand fertilised with base nutrients plus ammonium nitrate ammonium sulphate or calcium nitrate at low (40 ppm N) and high (140 ppm N) concentration Controls consisted of base nutrients only and water only Flower production fruit yield and berry size all increased with increasing Nconcentration but Nsource itself was not important Disease susceptibility was affected by both Nconcentration and Nsource At high Nconcentration C acutatum fruit lesions were largest in ammonium sulphate treatments > ammonium nitrate > calcium nitrate; Botryits cinerea lesions were largest in ammonium nitrate > ammonium sulphate > calcium nitrate Similar trends were observed for leaf susceptibility to the two pathogens These data suggest that calcium nitrate may be a suitable source of nitrogen helping growers to reduce disease risk
Control of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Erica sessiliflora and Erica davisii
Authors: Casonato S.G. , Manning M.A. , Rheinlander P.A. , Fullerton R.A.
Published: October 2019

A field trial was conducted to test the efficacy of two fungicides (metalaxyl and phosphorous acid) and supplementary organic matter for the control of Phytophthora cinnamomi root rot in Erica sessiliflora and E davisii Five treatments were applied (1) untreated control (2) metalaxyl (3) phosphorous acid (4) metalaxyl plus phosphorous acid and (5) organic soil amendment Plants were assessed for plant health as an indication of possible P cinnamomi infection Phosphorous acid applied alone or in combination with metalaxyl resulted in a significant reduction in the number of diseased or dead E sessiliflora plants compared with the untreated control plants (P0011 and P0004 respectively) The mean health index of phosphorous acid treated E davisii plants was not different (P>005) to control plants Results suggest that this species of Erica has some tolerance to P cinnamomi Metalaxyl applications alone or organic matter treatments did not reduce disease relative to controls in either species
Biological and ecological traits that assist establishment of alien invasive insects
Authors: Peacock L. , Worner S.P.
Published: October 2019

In this study the biological and ecological traits of two groups of phytophagous insect pests were examined to determine attributes that may influence establishment in New Zealand Biological and ecological attributes of a group of insect species that is established in New Zealand were compared with species that are not currently established It was found that the species established in New Zealand had a significantly wider host plant range than species that have not established The lower developmental threshold temperature was on average 4C lower for established species compared with nonestablished species These data suggest that species that establish well in New Zealand have a wide host range and can tolerate lower temperatures compared with those that have not established
The biocontrol information resource for ERMA New Zealand applicants (BIREA) an evaluation
Authors: White T.D. , Kean J.M. , Barratt B.I.P.
Published: October 2019

An evaluation of the Biocontrol Information Resource for ERMA New Zealand Applicants (BIREA http//wwwb3nzorg/birea) website was undertaken BIREA aims to assist applicants to ERMA New Zealand wishing to introduce biocontrol agents to New Zealand to submit a welldeveloped and informed application The website also has potential for educating overseas biocontrol practitioners and the general public on biological control safety ERMA New Zealand had received no new applications for import or release of biocontrol agents since the website went live in April 2007 so BIREA was evaluated by interviewing past applicants and key stakeholders In addition potential users of the site were surveyed and an analysis of internet visitors to the website was undertaken Overall BIREA was highly rated and was thought to be a useful tool by past applicants and stakeholders However for BIREA to become an effective means of public education adjustments to make the site public friendly would be required BIREA was accessed approximately hourly by a wide range of visitors from at least 55 countries
Establishment of Thripobius javae (semiluteus) in New Zealand
Authors: Jamieson L.E. , Froud K. , Edwards R. , Stevens P.S.
Published: October 2019

The larval parasitoid Thripobius javae was imported from Italy into New Zealand in December 2000 as part of a classical biological control programme against greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) Thripobius javae was released from containment in Auckland in January 2001 Subsequent releases were made in 2001 at sites in Kerikeri Whangarei Bay of Plenty and Gisborne Release sites were monitored for greenhouse thrips and T javae 14 times between 2002 and 2007 Thripobius javae was recovered from 11 of the 21 release sites More intensive monitoring of a citrus orchard in Kerikeri found that 95100 of threetree plots had T javae present 1 year after release After 6 years the parasitoid was found in only 2128 of plots and had dispersed at least 200 m from this release site It has since been found in isolated areas where it was never released Using trap lemons infested with larval greenhouse thrips was not an effective method for detecting T javae Sticky traps did catch some parasitoids and may be a potential method for determining presence/absence
Distribution of the clover root weevil biocontrol agent in the North Island of New Zealand
Authors: Gerard P.J. , Eden T.M. , Wilson D.J. , Burch G.
Published: October 2019

The Irish wasp Microctonus aethiopoides was released in 2006 as a biocontrol agent for the clover root weevil Sitona lepidus a serious pest of white clover in New Zealand Following successful establishment two strategies were implemented to accelerate the widespread establishment of the parasitoid throughout the North Island The first approach was the establishment of regional nursery sites that act as point sources for natural and assisted dispersal With the assistance of Regional Councils and major landowners these were set up at sites favourable to the wasp and local people were provided the training and support to undertake collections and distribution of parasitized weevils Secondly samples of parasitized weevils were distributed for release directly to farmers through pastoral industry networks and events Initial results indicate that while the parasitoid established rapidly at Taranaki and Waikato nursery sites as anticipated it has failed to establish in Northland in two successive seasons
Spatial interpolation of daily humidity using natural neighbours over mountain areas in south eastern Australia
Authors: Kim K.S. , Beresford R.M. , Henshall W.R.
Published: October 2019

Natural neighbour interpolation was investigated to estimate daily humidity at specific sites in a mountain area The Global Summary of Day (GSOD) dataset was used to obtain weather data in mountain areas in south eastern Australia Eighteen weather stations were selected as validation sites Dew point temperature was estimated from January to December 2007 When the inverse distance weight method was used without adjusting the elevation difference between stations accuracy of virtual dew point temperature was poor with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 36C When natural neighbour interpolation was used the MAE for dew point temperature was 21C with altitude adjustment Furthermore application of wet adiabatic lapse rate (0004C/m) for altitude adjustment reduced the MAE to 13C These results will be used to improve the accuracy of weather estimates in areas with complex terrain in order to implement crop disease predictions using risk models
Root loline concentration in endophyteinfected meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is increased by grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) attack
Authors: Patchett B.J. , Chapman R.B. , Fletcher L.R. , Gooneratne S.R.
Published: October 2019

The larvae of New Zealand grass grub are economically important subterranean pests of pastures Some endophyteinfected meadow fescues contain loline alkaloids in the roots which can protect the plant from insect attack Loline concentrations in the roots of meadow fescue ecotypes in autumn were similar to concentrations in shoots of the same line Loline concentrations in the roots of the meadow fescue ecotypes exposed to grass grub were significantly higher (P
Yersinia sp (MH96) a potential biopesticide of migratory locust Locusta migratoria L
Authors: McNeill M.R. , Hurst M.R.H.
Published: October 2019

Locusta migratoria L is a recognised global pest that feeds on a wide range of graminaceous crops and pasture The activity of the novel entomopathogenic bacterium Yersinia sp (MH96) against L migratoria was investigated in the laboratory Locusta migratoria were allowed to feed on ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) carrying Y sp residues and mortality was observed daily for 5 days At constant temperatures of either 235 or 37C Y sp caused 100 mortality of 1st instar L migratoria after 72 h At constant temperatures of 235C mortality amongst 2nd3rd instar L migratoria after 48 h was ca 34 rising to 100 mortality after 5 days When 3rd instar L migratoria were exposed to Y sp cultured at either 25C or 37C mortality was higher in individuals maintained at 235C compared to 37C This result was attributed to the phenology of the bacterium at elevated temperatures These initial studies indicate that Y sp has promise as a biopesticide against L migratoria especially against early instars
Evaluation of treatment methods for eradication of plant pathogens from carrot seed
Authors: Cheah L-H. , Olsson S.
Published: October 2019

Importation of seed is a risk pathway for the introduction of unwanted organisms to New Zealand including pathogens insects and weeds These risks are managed by MAF BNZ through implementation of Import Health Standards but information about the efficacy of some seed treatments is lacking Alternaria leaf blight and Fusarium root rot of carrot (caused by Alternaria and Fusarium spp respectively) are seedborne diseases and can cause seed losses of up to 50 Treatment methods tested for control of these diseases included ozone (in gas or in water) at 10 ppm for 10 30 and 60 min for each treatment; ionised copper water at 5 ppm for 2 4 and 8 h; and hot water drench at 50 525 and 55C for 15 and 30 min at each temperature Treated seeds were plated on PDA with antibiotics and fungi growth assessed 5 days after incubation at 22C None of the ozone and ionised copper water treatments reduced frequency of isolation of Alternaria and Fusarium spp All hot water drench treatments (except 50C for 15 min) completely killed the fungi These results indicate that hot water treatment is effective for control of Alternaria and Fusarium spp on carrot seeds The effect of hot water treatments on seed germination is being investigated
Eretmocerus eremicus a new whitefly parasitoid found in New Zealand
Authors: Workman P.J. , Scott I.A.W. , Drayton G.M.
Published: October 2019

In the summer of 200607 unsprayed vegetable crops in the Auckland region were surveyed to locate and identify natural enemies of whitefly thrips and psyllids that could be used as biological control agents for pests of greenhouse crops A natural enemy that was specifically sought was a yellow parasitoid of greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum that had previously been observed in the Auckland region in greenhouse crops (T Marais pers comm) This parasitoid was identified in 1997 by Dr J Berry (Landcare Research) as Eretmocerus sp The 200607 survey located three populations of a yellow parasitoid of greenhouse whitefly on runner beans in a home garden at Waimauku in an organic garden in Silverdale and on greenhouse tomatoes in Mangere Sequences of diagnostic COII ITS2 and D3 gene regions were obtained from the Waimauku samples and subsequent interrogation of sequence databases using BLAST identified the parasitoid as Eretmocerus warrae (Naumann and Schmit 2000) (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae) Eretmocerus warrae was found across the southern half of Australia in surveys in 199597 and is considered endemic to Australia but has only been found from the exotic greenhouse whitefly In 2008 specimens of Eretmocerus collected in 1997 and 2006 were examined by CSIRO and were considered to be morphologically identical It was concluded that both samples of the parasitoids were Eretmocerus eremicus which is now considered to be synonymous with E warrae
Influence of male density on reproductive fitness of female rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae L (Coleoptera Curculionidae)
Authors: Flay C. , Wang Q.
Published: October 2019

Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) are important stored product pests of grains throughout the world and can lead to complete rejection of seed lots Fecundity and fertility of females are central to their ability to populate and destroy grains Pest control with insecticides on food grain crops is undesirable causing rejection of seed lots that contain residues Therefore any information contributing to alternative management or enhancement of existing control techniques is important Behavioural factors have been found to influence fecundity and fertility of this pest A recent study found a reduction in fecundity and fertility in females that are exposed to multiple males However the mechanism behind this is unknown This experiment examined how male density affected female feeding copulation and oviposition in S oryzae under three sex ratios 11 51 and 101 (malefemale) Results show that copulation duration significantly increased with increasing male density (P
Survival of Neonectria fuckeliana in woody material
Authors: Hopkins A.J.M. , Dick M.A. , Simpson I.G.
Published: October 2019

In southern New Zealand Neonectria fuckeliana is associated with a stem flute canker of Pinus radiata which can result in severe stem malformation and growth loss This research consisting of three distinct experiments aimed to determine pathogen survival in processed and unprocessed wood and woody debris In the first experiment the survival of the pathogen in living trees was examined by sampling trees infected with N fuckeliana in 6 different years In the second experiment the survival of the pathogen in woody debris was examined using 36 infected logs in a range of sizeclasses The logs were left on the forest floor in shaded and unshaded conditions and sampled for N fuckeliana after 4 and 9 months The third experiment examined the survival of the pathogen in processed wood Boards cut from infected trees were tested in six standard timber drying treatments Boards were sampled before and after drying to determine the presence of living N fuckeliana Neonectria fuckeliana was successfully isolated from trees at all infection times tested The fungus was also successfully isolated from 81 of logs after 9 months on the forest floor There was no significant difference between shaded and unshaded treatments Neonectria fuckeliana was not found in any boards following kilndrying but was successfully isolated from 69 of infected boards subjected to the two standard airdrying treatments for 9 weeks
Distribution of Botryosphaeria species causing grapevine dieback and decline in New Zealand vineyards
Authors: Baskarathevan J. , Jaspers M.V. , Jones E.E. , Ridgway H.J.
Published: October 2019

Worldwide 11 species of Botryosphaeria have been isolated from grapevines in association with a wide range of decline and dieback symptoms Currently there is little knowledge on what species are present in New Zealand A comprehensive survey was carried out during June to December 2007 to collect Botryosphaeria species from New Zealand vineyards More than 450 isolates including B parva B lutea B australis B stevensii B obtusa and B iberica were isolated from symptomatic material No correlation was observed between the species of Botryosphaeria and grapevine variety or age The highest incidence of Botryosphaeria species (977 ) was from Blenheim and lowest (164 ) was from Otago The most commonly isolated species was B parva followed by B stevensii Fusicoccum type Botryosphaeria species such as B parva and B lutea were more prevalent in the North Island and Diplodia type species including B stevensii and B obtusa dominated in the South Island It is likely that the Botryosphaeria species distribution in New Zealand is influenced by climatic conditions This information has implications for development of control strategies
Optimum timing of fungicides for control of onion white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum)
Authors: Tyson J.L. , Fullerton R.A. , Chynoweth R.W. , Rheinlander P.A. , Hill G.N.
Published: October 2019

Onion white rot caused by Sclerotium cepivorum continues to be a major fungal disease of onions in New Zealand The onset of the disease in the Pukekohe area can be predicted by the use of cumulative average daily soil temperatures above a base temperature (white rot degree days) This prediction model was used to determine the optimal timing for fungicide application Analysis of data from trials on timing of fungicide applications conducted between 19892007 showed a correlation between the efficacy of fungicide programme and accumulated degree days with later start times in relation to disease onset equating to a consistent drop in efficacy The disease normally occurs when white rot degree days reach 250 Fungicide programmes commenced above this value achieved relatively poor control Spray programmes should start before the disease is observed in the field with start times between 100 and 200 white rot degree days achieving the best control
Multitargeting for biological control of sleeper weeds
Authors: Groenteman R. , Kelly D. , Fowler S.V.
Published: October 2019

Sleeper weeds are weeds at the early stage of invasion exotic species that have become naturalised and are highly likely to turn invasive in due course New Zealand has more naturalised exotic vascular plant species than natives many of which are considered sleeper weeds Biological control is more likely to succeed on weeds that have not yet fulfilled their invasive potential hence its significance in management of sleeper weeds Multitargeting is suggested here as a new approach for safe and effective management of multiple closely related invasive and sleeper weed species from groups not represented in the native flora using agents with a relatively wide host range While specifically targeting an invasive species in the group such agents could prevent closely related sleeper weeds from becoming a problem in the first place Thistles were used as a case study and strong support was found for the multitargeting approach Thus three nontarget less preferred thistle species were attacked and damaged by the biocontrol agent Rhinocyllus conicus more in the presence of its preferred host Carduus nutans (nodding thistle) than in its absence both in a field experiment and in a field survey
Botanical and management factors associated with Setaria pumila abundance implications for pasture management
Authors: Tozer K.N. , James T.K. , Cameron C.A.
Published: October 2019

Yellow bristle grass (YBG) causes significant production loss on dairy farms as it is unpalatable to stock and can reduce forage intake and milk production This weed is rapidly spreading in North Island dairy pastures and effective control strategies are needed Botanical surveying was undertaken in February 2008 on 12 dairy farms in Waikato to ascertain its presence in pastures in relation to key management factors YBG cover was negatively associated with Olsen P pH paspalum cover and postgrazing residual dry matter in January Stocking rate time since pasture renovation inclusion of a cropping phase prior to renovation sowing rate during renovation ryegrass undersowing after renovation and cover of ryegrass clovers other dicots annual grasses and amount of bare ground had no significant effect on YBG cover Results suggest that while improved soil fertility and increasing pasture competition will enhance YBG control YBG seeds can survive during pasture renovation leading to rapid reinfestation of pastures
Herbicide selection for wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis) control
Authors: Hurrell G.A. , James T.K. , Lusk C.S. , Trolove M.
Published: October 2019

Wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis) prevents the regeneration of native forests in New Zealand The herbicide triclopyr effectively controls this weed but is damaging to many native plant species To identify alternative herbicides 16 active ingredients representing eight chemical groups were applied to containergrown wandering Jew plants of various ages in three experiments In Experiment 1 triclopyr killed all plants (3 months old) while amitrole caused substantial damage to plants In Experiment 2 amitrole terbuthylazine metsulfuronmethyl and triclopyr provided excellent control of 2 month old plants In Experiment 3 on 4 monthold plants wandering Jew was highly susceptible to triclopyr metsulfuronmethyl fluroxypyr glyphosate fluroxypyr metsulfuronmethyl triclopyr and picloram triclopyr These herbicides were evaluated in a subsequent field trial and all except metsulfuronmethyl gave similar levels of control to Experiment 3 Further investigation of these chemicals is required to determine their optimal use rates and safety for native plants
A review of access and benefitsharing for biological control what does it mean for New Zealand
Authors: Barratt B.I.P.
Published: October 2019

The Convention on Biological Diversity promotes equitable and respectful sharing of access to and benefits from genetic resources Parties to the convention have agreed to negotiate and develop an Access and BenefitSharing (ABS) regime to take effect in 2010 Currently some countries have restricted access to their biological resources To consider issues pertaining to biological control the Global IOBC (International Organisation for Biological Control of Noxious Animals and Plants) has established a Commission on Biological Control and Access and Benefit Sharing The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GRFA) has invited the IOBC Commission to prepare a report on the case for biological control agents The global exchange of biological control agents is considered critical to food security and sustainable agriculture and reaching a consensus on this issue is a high priority The process for this and the importance of protecting New Zealands interests in biological control is discussed in this paper
Diurnal rhythms of emergence host feeding and oviposition of Eretmocerus warrae (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae)
Authors: Hanan A. , He X.Z. , Shakeel M. , Wang Q.
Published: October 2019

Eretmocerus warrae is a parasitoid of greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum It was first detected in New Zealand in 1997 during a survey of greenhouses in Auckland In the laboratory at 221C 605 RH and 168 h lightdark significantly higher adult emergence occurred after 23 h of light No emergence was observed during the scotophase Host feeding and oviposition occurred in both the photophase and scotophase In the photophase host feeding by E warrae tended to be higher after 46 h of light than at other stages of photophase In the scotophase the number of hosts fed on by E warrae was significantly higher 2 h before lights came on The number of eggs laid was significantly higher 1014 h into the photophase than at other stages There tended to be higher oviposition in the first 2 h of darkness
Linking biosecurity and biogeography
Authors: Kay M.K.
Published: October 2019

The unfathomable complexity of species interactions within biological systems tempts us to impose tidy concepts in an effort to predict or explain how ecosystems react to perturbation through species extinction or invasion The Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography (ETIB) contends that islands are inherently at risk of both invasion and extinction of species The appealing logic of the ETIB and a general consensus that biodiversity is linked to ecosystem resilience ie that the loss of biodiversity will result in a loss of ecosystem stability have been cemented into mainstream ecology However the biodiversity ecosystem resilience debate is far from resolved The ETIB treats species as empirical entities and takes no account of how species interactions evolve to determine the way ecosystems function The Island Resource Allocation (IRA) hypothesis offers a testable alternative explanation of how ecosystems function and could be considered by biosecurity agencies in assessing ecological risk of introduced species