Inside the wonderful world of insects with bug man Phil Lester
On holiday in the Peruvian Amazon, Phil Lester spotted a gleaming black bullet ant, owner of the world’s most painful sting. “That was awesome,” he…
Media
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…
Publication
Introduction of a male-harming mitochondrial haplotype via ‘Trojan Females’ achieves population suppression in fruit flies
Here, we provide proof-of-concept for the Trojan Female Technique (TFT), by showing that introduction of a male fertility-impairing mtDNA haplotype into replicated populations of Drosophila…
Publication
Austropuccinia psidii, causing myrtle rust, has a gigabase-sized genome shaped by transposable elements
Austropuccinia psidii has a broad host range with more than 480 myrtaceous species. Since first detected in Australia in 2010, the pathogen has caused the near…
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
Variability in phosphite sensitivity observed within and between seven Phytophthora species
Phosphite is used to control and manage many phytophthora diseases in horticultural systems worldwide and natural ecosystems in Australia, Africa, New Zealand and parts of…
Report
Weather associated with myrtle rust on the North Island east coast
The aim of this study was to use a modelling approach to examine winter temperatures in New Zealand, particularly on the east coast of the…
Webinar
Pest control perceptions: comparing pesticides with next-generation control methods
In our part of the BioHeritage National Science Challenge we have been investigating the use of next-generation pest control technologies, with a focus on RNA…
Presentation
Conservation genetics of maire tawake – Colan Balkwill
Restoration genetics of maire tawake – a nationally critically threatened tree species. Presented as part of the Kaurilands Summit 2023, hosted by Ngā Rākau Taketake.…
Publication
Protected land: Threat of invasive species
A letter written and published in response to the report “One -third of global protected land is under intense human pressure”, discussing that the index…
Presentation
Extracting and cryopreserving embryonic axes
Presented at the Australian Academy of Science Fenner Conference on the Environment, online conference 2021. Cryopreservation offers a method of conserving exceptional species long term…
Report
Development and deployment of an Austropuccinia psidii biotype differential diagnostic test.
Five Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays, designed by USA-based colleagues to specifically diagnose four of the genetic clusters (clades) of Austropuccinia psidii (Pandemic (two assays), Eucalyptus,…
Publication
Connecting through space and time: catchment-scale distributions of bacteria in soil, stream water and sediment
Terrestrial and aquatic environments are linked through hydrological networks that transport abiotic components from upslope environments into aquatic ecosystems. However, our understanding of how bacteria…
Publication
Polygenic basis for adaptive morphological variation in a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand bird, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta)
To predict if a threatened species can adapt to changing selective pressures, it is crucial to understand the genetic basis of adaptive traits, especially in…
Publication
Worldwide border interceptions provide a window into human-mediated global insect movement
As part of national biosecurity programs, cargo imports, passenger baggage, and international mail are inspected at ports of entry to verify compliance with phytosanitary regulations…
Publication
Demographic and psychographic drivers of public acceptance of novel invasive pest control technologies
Invasive mammals are a primary threat to New Zealand’s endemic species. In remote areas, aerial delivery of poison is the preferred method of pest management,…
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