A5007570374- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Malaria Research and Control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
Victoria University of Wellington
2016-2025
Wellington UniVentures (New Zealand)
2022
University of Otago
1994-2021
ID Genomics (United States)
2021
University of California, Riverside
2021
Royal Navy
2020
Ministry of Defence
2020
Sun Yat-sen University
2018
Google (United States)
2011-2013
Victoria University
2010
Because invasive species threaten the integrity of natural ecosystems, a major goal in ecology is to develop predictive models determine which may become widespread and where they invade. Indeed, considerable progress has been made understanding factors that influence local pattern spread for specific invaders are correlated with number introduced have established given region. However, few studies examined relative importance multiple drivers invasion success at global scales. Here, we use...
Genetic technologies such as gene editing and drive systems have recently emerged potential tools for pest control. Gene drives, in particular, been described solutions to the problems that beset New Zealand. Here we describe current state of present a series examples examine benefits arising from approaches control We consider risks barriers, both biological social, would need be addressed deploy against our key pests with particular reference unique characteristics Zealand's biota,...
Invasive social wasps (Vespula germanica and V. vulgaris) are probably the most damaging, widespread invertebrate pests in New Zealand. In large areas of beech forests they can attain a biomass as great as, or greater than, combined biomasses birds, rodents stoats. Wasps effective voracious predators pose significant risk to human health. Here, we highlight scale diversity wasp impacts opportunities develop cost landscape-scale tools for control. Toxic baits be extremely control, though...
Abstract BACKGROUND The Varroa mite ( destructor ) is considered to be the greatest threat apiculture worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) using double‐stranded (dsRNA) as a gene silencing mechanism has emerged next‐generation strategy for control. RESULTS We explored impact of dsRNA biopesticide, named vadescana, designed silence calmodulin in Varroa, on fitness mini‐hives housed laboratory. Two dosages were tested: 2 g/L and 8 dsRNA. Vadescana appeared have no effect survival, however,...
Abstract Maps of a species’ potential range make an important contribution to conservation and invasive species risk analysis. Spatial predictions, however, should be accompanied by assessment their uncertainty. Here, we use multimodel inference generate confidence intervals that incorporate both the uncertainty involved in model selection as well error associated with fitting. In case Argentine ant, found it was most likely occur where mean daily temperature mid‐winter 7–14 °C maximum...
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a global threat to honeybees, and spillover from managed bees threaten wider insect populations. Deformed wing virus (DWV), widespread that has become emergent in conjunction with the spread of mite Varroa destructor , is thought be partly responsible for colony losses. The arrival honeybee populations causes dramatic loss viral genotypic diversity, favouring few virulent strains. Here, we investigate DWV an invasive Hawaiian population wasp, Vespula...
Summary Functional and numerical responses are key components in the selection of predators for biological control. We examined relevance these predicting effectiveness generalist predators, taking into account effects alternative prey multiple predators. Our system involved two acarine species on apple. Responses were measured leaf discs laboratory, predictions assessed small potted apple trees. In particular, we tested three hypotheses. Hypothesis I: with higher predatory will be more...
ABSTRACT Biological invasions can dramatically alter ecosystems. An ability to predict the establishment success for exotic species is important biosecurity and conservation purposes. I examine New Zealand ant fauna characteristics that or determine an species’ establish. Quarantine records show interceptions of 66 species: 17 which have established, 43 failed establish, whereas nests another six are periodically observed but establish permanently (called ‘ephemeral’ establishment). Mean...
Summary The number of individuals involved in an invasion event, or ‘propagule size’, has a strong theoretical basis for influencing success. However, rarely propagule size been experimentally manipulated to examine changes invader behaviour, and longevity We the invasive Argentine ant Linepithema humile laboratory field studies. Laboratory experiments L. propagules containing two queens 10, 100, 200 1000 workers. Propagules were introduced into arenas colonies workers competing native...
Synergies between invasive species and climate change are widely considered to be a major biodiversity threat. However, also hypothesized susceptible population collapse, as we demonstrate for globally important in New Zealand. We observed Argentine ant populations have collapsed 40 per cent of surveyed sites. Populations had mean survival time 14.1 years (95% CI = 12.9-15.3 years). Resident communities recovered or partly after their collapse. Our models suggest that will delay colony...
When exotic animal species invade new environments they also bring an often unknown microbial diversity, including pathogens. We describe a novel and widely distributed virus in one of the most globally widespread, abundant damaging invasive ants (Argentine ants, Linepithema humile ). The 1 is dicistrovirus, viral family known to cause widespread arthropod disease. It was detected samples from Argentina, Australia New Zealand. Argentine Zealand were infected with strain Deformed wing common...
Neurotoxic pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, negatively affect the cognitive capacity and fitness of non-target species, could also modify interspecific interactions. We tested whether sublethal contamination with neonicotinoid foraging, colony outcome behavioural interactions between a native (Monomorium antarcticum) an invasive ant species (Linepithema humile). The foraging behaviour both ants was not affected by exposure. Colonies exposed to produced significantly fewer brood. In...
Social insects host a diversity of viruses. We examined New Zealand populations the globally widely distributed invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) for RNA used metatranscriptomic analysis, which identified six potential novel viruses in Dicistroviridae family. Of these, three contigs were confirmed by Sanger sequencing as Linepithema humile virus-1 (LHUV-1), strain Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Black queen cell (BQCV), while others chimeric or misassembled sequences. extended known...
CRISPR gene drives have potential for widespread and cost-efficient pest control, but are highly controversial. We examined a drive targeting spermatogenesis to control the invasive common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) in New Zealand. Vespula wasps haplodiploid. Their life cycle makes production challenging, as nests initiated by single fertilized queens spring followed several cohorts of sterile female workers reproductives autumn. show that different genes levels variation between introduced...
Abstract Despite the mitochondrion's long‐recognized role in energy production, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation commonly found natural populations was assumed to be effectively neutral. However, mtDNA has now been increasingly linked phenotypic life history traits and fitness. We examined whether relative fitness native invasive common wasp ( Vespula vulgaris ) Belgium New Zealand (NZ), respectively, can variation. Social colonies NZ were smaller with comparatively fewer queen cells,...
The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is a leading cause of mortality for Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies around the globe. We sought to confirm presence and likely introduction only one V. haplotype in New Zealand, describe viral community within both mites bees that they parasitise. A 1232 bp fragment from mitochondrial gene regions suggests Zealand. Seventeen viruses were found bees. most prevalent abundant was Deformed wing virus (DWV-A) strain, which explained 95.0% variation...
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) biopesticides offer the potential for highly targeted pest control with minimal off-target impacts. Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are an important of honey bees (Apis mellifera) that primarily managed by synthetic pesticides. A next-generation treatment using a varroa-active dsRNA, vadescana, has been developed to target calmodulin expression in varroa. We evaluated exposure non-target species vadescana. First, we assessed gene silencing effects on 39...
This report documents the ongoing invasion of Tokelau atolls by long-legged ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes ( Jerdon). These ants were collected from two three atolls. On island Fenua Fala Fakaofo Atoll, appear to be a recent arrival and occur in only small area around one ports. Most inhabited islands Vao Motuhuga on Nukunonu Atoll have been invaded, addition several uninhabited, forested islands. Despite this ant having previously recorded at least Nukunonu, these new invasions. Densities up...