Project reference: 2001-05
Risk Modelling and Strategies for Eradication/ Control of Gypsy Moth for New Zealand
Project description:
Gypsy moth has continued to be in the news as a potential risk to New Zealand from around 1994. From 1994-97, an AgResearch/FRI team (subsequently AgR/FRASS) were funded to find microbial control agents of Asian Gypsy Moth capable of use in eradication or control programmes in New Zealand, as well as developing models for gypsy moth control. This programme was completed and a large summary document produced in July 1998. However, the document has never been widely distributed due to funding limitations and the need to revisit certain sections in light of more recent results.
Nod Kay (FR) recently completed a study on the palatability of New Zealand (and other countries) plants to gypsy moth. Unexpectedly, New Zealand plants were less palatable than their Northern Hemisphere relatives. This could dramatically change the risk assessment and models of control, as it changes the basic assumptions of both the risk assessment and model (Kean and Barlow)
Objectives
The aim of this project is to combine the AgResearch and FR groups to revise the document "Strategies for eradication and control of gypsy moth in New Zealand", using the latest palatability studies and data on the effectiveness of microbial controls of gypsy moth in the northern hemisphere.
Outcomes will be:
Rewriting of the strategies document and publication as a FHRC report (and pdf file for the website).
Reworking of the gypsy moth model.
Research Provider:
Forest Research
AgResearch
