Biocontrol - Fighting Flora With Fauna

Find out how it’s possible to use nature against nature in the fight against invasive pest plants. Biocontrol is a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and permanent solution to weed control.

As part of the ‘Spotlight on Biosecurity’ week, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) has invited biocontrol experts to explain the rationale for using biological control in preventing the spread of weeds and will highlight projects that are in operation across NZ and right here in Tauranga Moana.

“When good plants go bad.” - Hugh Gourlay, Senior Technician at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research

Landcare Research has responsibility for the development, mass rearing and release of approved biocontrol agents in NZ. Hugh explains what is biological control is, how it works, how it’s used and why. Hugh highlights some of the successes and failures of biocontrol in NZ and gives an insight into the projects currently being worked on at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

“Tiny Stingers with Big Potential.” - Toni Withers, Senior Entomologist at Scion, Rotorua (The Forest Research Institute NZ Ltd.)

Scion in Rotorua has an active forest protection team who have been utilising biological control to safely and sustainably protect trees that although not native, are nevertheless important and valued parts of our environment. Toni will tell us about two projects that have been highly successful for the Bay of Plenty (biological control of buddleja weed, and biological control of gum leaf skeletoniser).

She will also introduce us to the two latest projects currently underway – biological control of the giant willow aphid (a big problem for bee keepers) and Eucalyptus tortoise beetle.

“Biocontrol in our own backyard” - Shane Hona, Biosecurity Officer, Bay of Plenty Regional Council
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for excluding, eradicating and controlling a wide range of pest plants and animals across the region. Shane will explain how the council uses biocontrol to achieve the best results in managing the most challenging pest plants in our region. He will detail some of the highlights and lowlights of recent trials and touch on exciting new biocontrol options on the horizon.