Scale and complexity implications of making New Zealand predator-free by 2050
The goal to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050 has drawn strong praise and criticism, but these critiques have focused largely on economic or technological…
Novel Tools and Strategies
Novel tools, technologies and strategies need to be deployed to eradicate biotic threats.
This research is Active
Introduced Vespula germanica wasp.
Overview Te Tirohanga Whānui
Invasive species continue to change native ecosystems in Aotearoa through competition, predation, infection and habitat alteration. Biological invasions also have large economic impacts on our primary industries, as well as cultural and social impacts on our people.
New Zealand’s biosecurity systems are not well enough equipped to deal with emerging threats in an ever-changing global environment.
We need to be able to intercept more biosecurity threats that appear at our airports, mail centres and seaports, before they enter the environment, establish, and spread. We also need better tools and strategies to deal with pests that have already breached our border and set up shop.
Teams investigating Novel Tools & Strategies are working towards creating a better biosecurity network of 5 million through three very different projects, while supporting the mahi (work) of those already working hard in this field.
By authentically partnering with mana whenua and involving end-users throughout the research and design phase, this investment aims to enable real, ‘on the ground’ change for New Zealand’s biosecurity system.
This programme is split into two work streams:
Resource outputs from this programme
Publication
Publication
Can immune gene silencing via dsRNA feeding promote pathogenic viruses to control the globally invasive Argentine ant?
Pest control methods that can target pest species with limited environmental impacts are a conservation and economic priority. Species-specific pest control using RNA interference is…
Publication
Gene silencing for invasive paper wasp management: Synthesized dsRNA can modify gene expression but did not affect mortality
Invasive paper wasps such as Polistes dominula are a major pest and problem for biodiversity around the globe. Safe and highly targeted methods for the control of…
Publication
Gene drive and RNAi technologies: a bio-cultural review of next-generation tools for pest wasp management in New Zealand
There is a global need for novel, next-generation technologies and techniques to manage pest species. We review work on potential step-changing technologies for large landscape…
Publication
Hōhā Riha: Pest Insect Control in Māori Tradition. Waka Kuaka
Ongoing Māori connections to natural environments mean that tangata whenua ‘people of the land’ and mātauranga Māori ‘Māori knowledge’ must be key to identifying, designing…
Publication
Viral communities in the parasite Varroa destructor and in colonies of their honey bee host (Apis mellifera) in New Zealand
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 the presence…
Publication
Ecological State Assessment Tool (ESAT): a cross-cultural natural resource management tool from Aotearoa, New Zealand
A cross-cultural approach to conservation and natural resource management will enable resource managers to access the full potential of dual knowledge epistemologies and facilitate genuine…
Publication
Experimental high-density trapping of social wasps: target kairomones for workers or gynes for drones?
Social wasps are amongst the most loathed exotic predators in New Zealand, with widespread adverse impacts on native ecosystems and fauna. Sustainable alternatives to pesticides…
Publication
Alternatives for mammal pest control in New Zealand in the context of concerns about 1080 toxicant (sodium fluoroacetate)
The ongoing use of 1080 toxin for the control of mammal pests in New Zealand remains highly contentious. Several reviews over the last 25 years…
Publication
Towards rangatiratanga in pest management? Māori perspectives and frameworks on novel biotechnologies in conservation
We gathered Māori perspectives on novel biotechnological controls for pest wasps through three distinct studies. Study participants included tertiary students, businesses, and spiritual or religiously…
Publication
Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
Māori businesses occupy primary industries said to benefit from wasp control. A Māori-centered mixed-method study gauged the perceptions of eight Māori businesses about the potential…
Publication
The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps
CRISPR gene drives have potential for widespread and cost-efcient pest control, but are highly controversial. We examined a potential gene drive targeting spermatogenesis to control…
Publication
High-Quality Assemblies for Three Invasive Social Wasps from the Vespula Genus
We sequenced and annotated the genomes of the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German wasp (Vespula germanica), and the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica). Our chromosome-level Vespula assemblies each…
Media
The cutting-edge technology that could take the sting out of summer
Wasps are a plague every summer, the unwelcome harasser at your picnic or tramping rest stop. Kathryn from Radio New Zealand talks to Gemma McLaughlin,…
Media
Professor Peter Dearden was part of a panel discussing genetic methods for pest control
Skip to 1.55min to hear Peter Dearden speak at the Primary Industries Summit.
Media
Pests invaluable research material
Not many people welcome the discovery of wasp nests, but they are providing invaluable research material for two Dunedin students. University of Otago genetics PhD…
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