Biosecurity - Control

Once pests have become established, how can we best control or eradicate them?

Media

University of Otago PhD genetics students Josh Gilligan and Gemma McLaughlin talking about how their research could help eradicate wasps in Aotearoa

University of Otago PhD genetics students Josh Gilligan and Gemma McLaughlin have been stung by their efforts in wasp removal – all in the name…
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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-efficient pest control, but are highly controversial. We examined a potential gene drive targeting spermatogenesis to control…
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Publication

Invasion success and management strategies for social Vespula wasps

Three species of Vespula have become invasive in Australia, Hawai‘i, New Zealand, and North and South America and continue to spread. These social wasp species can achieve…
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Publication

Confronting the risks of large-scale invasive species control

Large-scale invasive species control initiatives are motivated by laudable desires for native species recovery and economic benefits, but they are not without risk. Management interventions…
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Publication

Ethical responsibilities in invasion biology

There is a classic problem in ethics of reconciling the moral standing of collectives (e.g. populations, species and ecosystems) with the moral standing of individuals. We…
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Video

Risk Assessment & Ecosystem Impacts 2022

We need to understand kauri dieback and myrtle rust better if we want to protect our ngahere. That’s why the goal of the ‘Risk Assessment…
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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…
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Publication

Population recovery of alien black rats Rattus rattus: A test of reinvasion theory

Reinvasion of pest animals after incomplete control is a major challenge for invasive species management, yet little is known about the behavioural and demographic categories…
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Report

Identifying tools and knowledge gaps to support the control of non-PF2050- targeted small mammalian predators: stakeholder perceptions of priority needs

In a move to enhance information sharing in vertebrate pest management, a Small Mammal Research Collective consisting of representatives of key stakeholder groups was established…
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Presentation

Spatial variation in Phytophthora detection within infected areas – Nari Williams

Presented as part of the Kaurilands Summit 2023, hosted by Ngā Rākau Taketake.   To find out more about the Host, Pathogen & Environment research…
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Publication

Conservation demands safe gene drive

Interest in developing gene drive systems to control invasive species is growing, with New Zealand reportedly considering the nascent technology as a way to locally…
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Publication

Echyridella menziesii (Bivalvia: Hyriidae) as a predator of zooplankton of different sizes; are large non-indigenous Daphnia a potential food source?

Interactions between two recent invaders to New Zealand, the cladocerans Daphnia galeata and D. pulex, and native filter-feeding freshwater mussels, are unknown. We examined predation rates of the…
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Publication

Characterisation of a Novel Double-Stranded RNA Virus from Phytophthora pluvialis in New Zealand

A new dsRNA virus from the oomycete Phytophthora pluvialis has been characterised and designated as *Phytophthora pluvialis* RNA virus 1 (PplRV1).   Understanding of the potential impacts…
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Publication

Scientifically framed gene drive communication perceived as credible but riskier

Humans have caused a catastrophic decline to animal species and look to emerging technologies to stop the decline. Gene drive is a potential tool that…
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Publication

The clock is ticking: Temporally prioritizing eradications on islands

Achieving conservation objectives is time critical, but the vast number of threats and potential actions means some form of ranking is necessary to aid prioritization.…
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Publication

Gene drives for invasive wasp control: Extinction is unlikely, with suppression dependent on dispersal and growth rates

Gene drives offer a potentially revolutionary method for pest control over large spatial extents. These genetic modifications spread deleterious variants through a population and have…
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