The invertebrate pests most commonly affecting New Zealand's pastoral-based production in 'average' years cause losses of between $1.7B and $2.3B p.a. which up to $0.9B occur on sheep beef farms $1.4B dairy farms. native scarab grass grub is the costly pest causing $140–380 M $75–205 annually. exotic scarab, black beetle, although only approximately 1 ha, costs farmers $223 $19 Porina $84 $88 respectively. Pasture nematodes are estimated cost $274 for $326 farmers. Two pests, Argentine stem...

Summary 1. One of the ongoing challenges in molecular biology is to develop rapid, accurate and reliable techniques identify organisms. This contribution evaluates value DNA melt peak analysis for identification pests pathogens significant biosecurity. 2. The method evaluated this study capitalises on observation that double‐stranded separates into single strands (melts) at a temperature dependant nucleotide sequence strands. shape peaks from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products using...

A list of all the species ticks (Acari: Ixodidae, Argasidae) known to occur naturally in New Zealand subregion is given. Hosts, geographic distribution and relevant references are provided for each species. Three erroneous records published recently, two a book on biodiversity one seabird tick review corrected.

Abstract The most common explanation for species diversity increasing towards the tropics is corresponding increase in habitats (spatial heterogeneity). Consequently, a monoculture (like cotton Australia) which grown along latitudinal gradient, should have same degree of throughout its range. We tested to see if dominant community (spiders) changed with latitude, and was structurally identical different parts Australia. sampled seven sites extending over 20° latitude. At each site we 1–3...

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It is well understood that damage by insect pests can have serious consequences for pasture resilience. However, the impacts of climate change on pastoral systems, responses pests, and implications pest impact mitigation are unclear. This paper reviews to change, including direct such as temperature carbon dioxide levels, geographic range expansion, sleeper outbreaks resulting from disturbance drought farm system changes. The concludes with a plea transdisciplinary research into resilience...

The population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Murrumbidgee Valley, Australia, has been characterized using five highly variable microsatellite loci. In 2001-2002 growing season, there were very high levels migration into Valley with no detectable genetic structuring, consistent previous analyses on a national scale. By contrast, was significant structuring over 2002-2003 three distinct types detected. first type corresponded to two generations and...

Sitona lepidus had spread throughout the North Island of New Zealand by 2005 and was first detected in South January 2006 when one individual found at Harewood Christchurch Intensive sampling during February recovered only two additional specimens Several were from a separate location August Localised S populations discovered near Richmond Nelson April Rai Valley May A website established to provide information about visited mean 135 times per month but it never used report possible new...

Abstract The egg, larval, pupal and adult abundance of the clover root weevil Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was monitored at three sites for first ten years following discovery this exotic pest in Waikato region New Zealand. species went through an initial boom bust cycle two sites, with populations reaching up to 1800 larvae m −2 . Thereafter, winter larval were relatively stable, ranging between 450–750 Unlike Northern Hemisphere, S. found have generations a year...

Four experimental releases of the parthenogenetic strain Microctonus aethiopoides from Ireland were made in early 2006 Waikato Manawatu (two sites) and Hawkes Bay By winter establishment was confirmed at all sites with parasitism levels exceeding 10 target host Sitona lepidus a serious pest white clover New Zealand Subsequent monitoring revealed considerable betweensite variation At Feilding where overwintering weevil adults still present October over 30 found newly emerged weevils December...

The rapid spread of clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) (CRW) since its introduction in the early 1990s, threatens competitive advantage New Zealand's pastoral industry. When CRW was discovered, it had already spr ead too far for containment. insect's distribution currently covers North Island and there is no reason to prevent ultimately throughout NZ. With competing species, more damaging NZ than native Europe. Clover affects white nitrogen (N) fixation while simultaneously reducing content...

For both New Zealand and China, agriculture is integral to the economy, supporting primary production in intensive extensive farming systems. Grasslands have important ecosystem biodiversity functions, as well providing valuable grazing for livestock. However, persistence of grassland forage species (e.g. alfalfa) not only compromised by overgrazing, climate change habitat fragmentation, but from a range pests diseases, which impose considerable costs on growers lost income. Some these pest...

Clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) (CRw), a white clover pest from the Northern Hemisphere, was first found in North island 1996.

Clover root weevil was first discovered in the South Island 2006. Since then its distribution has been monitored. Although not yet occurring throughout all Island, it is widespread and become common many regions. The releases of a biocontrol agent, Irish ecotype parasitoid wasp Microctonus aethiopoides, were also made 2006, with more as suitable populations detected. In areas where have monitored agent established extensive natural spread occurred from earlier release sites. As consequence...

Determining the adaptive significance of phenotypic traits is key for understanding evolution and diversification in natural populations. However, evolutionary biologists have an incomplete how specific affect fitness most The White Sands system provides opportunity to study experimental context. Blanched color evolved recently three species lizards inhabiting gypsum dunes likely adaptation avoid predation. To determine whether there a relationship between susceptibility predation lizards,...

Painted apple moth Teia anartoides Walker (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), a native to Australia, was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand late 1999 and eradicated by 2006. It recognised 2002 that biological control would be the most effective long-term strategy if eradication unsuccessful, search initiated for potential biocontrol agents Australia. In 2003, autumn spring surveys were undertaken Victoria, Tasmania South Australia of guild parasitoid natural enemies T. anartoides. Eggs, larvae...

The production and pest susceptibility of eight clover cultivars were compared over two years in the pasture at contrasting sites: a rain-fed Waikato cattle-grazed an irrigated Canterbury dairy pasture. four white clovers (Trifolium repens L.) (Grasslands Kopu II, Grasslands Mainstay, SF Quest Weka), red (T. pratense Relish, Rubitas), strawberry fragiferum) (Palestine) × Caucasian ambiguum M. Bieb.) hybrid (Aberlasting). Relish outperformed all other was associated with fewest root-damaging...

Field population studies of clover root weevil in the Waikato 1996/97 showed that high levels reproductive females early summer were followed by a larval generation.However, 1997/98 summer, non-reproductive predominated and generation larvae did not eventuate.Rainfall during was less than preceding summer.The possibility dry conditions inhibited initiation oviposition is supported experimental evidence showing collected from irrigated pastures laid almost 100 times more eggs over one month...

Sitona obsoletus is a serious pasture pest in New Zealand where its rootfeeding larvae reduce white clover cover and nitrogen fixation To maintain production farmers may compensate by increasing inputs The parasitic wasp Microctonus aethiopoides Loan was introduced for biological control of S achieved parasitism rates exceeding 70 In Southland first detected 2010 unusually severe prolonged infestations during 2013 2014 prompted intensive releases 2015 This study evaluated if they were cost...

Use of forage succession to increase productivity and upgrade runout pasture has become an integral part modern pastoral production systems new types increased along with increases in area sown This growth crop use diversity largely been without a coordinated view long term benefits costs terms weeds pests diseases paper describes the potential impacts on insects nematodes (pasture turnips annual ryegrass perennial ryegrass/white clover) that commonly occurs Waikato region New Zealand Pest...