Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research's video: Hieracium biocontrol 20 years on Webinar

Several biocontrol agents have been introduced and released onto hieracium (Hieracium and Pilosella spp.) in New Zealand since 1999. These include the plume moth (Oxyptilus pilosella), gall wasp (Aulacidea subterminalis), gall midge (Macrolabis pilosellae), root feeding hover fly (Cheilosia urbana), and the crown feeding hover fly (Cheilosia psilophthalma). While the gall wasp and the gall midge have established, recoveries of the other three have not been made and it is unlikely that they have established. Recent field checks looked at how well each of the established agents have spread and impacts were investigated. Join Paul as he discusses the latest findings of his research, including the impact land management changes have had in the South Island.