APP202663: import and release the moth, Lathronympha strigana, and the beetle, Chrysolina abchasica, as biocontrol agents for the weed tutsan Overview of the Staff Assessment Report Submissions 13 Submissions received All support the moth Two oppose the beetle Tutsan as a serious pest DOC’s concerns Risk assessment assumptions Establishment Develop self-sustaining populations High density Likelihood Potential positive effects Environmental Regeneration of native species Limit spread and persistence Reduction in herbicide use Market Economy Regional effects Summary of benefits Potential outcomes Likelihood Consequence Conclusion Restoration of native ecological process and functions which will improve biodiversity and conservation values Likely Minor to moderate Significant Significant reductions in herbicide use nationally, and thus reducing collateral environmental damage Unlikely Minimal Negligible Unlikely Minimal Negligible Potential beneficial effects on the environment Potential beneficial effects to the market economy Significant economic benefits that follow the introduction of the moth L. strigana and the beetle C. abchasica on a national scale Potential adverse effects Environmental Risk to native plants Impact on existing food webs Society and Communities Ornamental Summary of adverse effects Potential outcomes Likelihood Consequence Conclusion Highly improbable (moth) Minimal (moth) Negligible (moth) Highly improbable (beetle) Minimal (beetle) Negligible (beetle) Highly improbable (moth) Minimal (moth) Negligible (moth) Very unlikely (beetle) Minor (beetle) Negligible (beetle) Unlikely Minor Negligible Very unlikely Minimal Negligible Potential adverse effects on the environment Adverse effects on the native Hypericum involutum Adverse effects on the native H. pusillum, and H.rubicundulum (also representing H.minutiflorum) Reducing the intrinsic value of our ecosystem from the introduction of the two biological control agents, including displacing native and valued fauna and flora, and disturbing ecosystems Potential adverse effects on society and communities Attacks on ornamental plants and associated adverse effects on home gardeners Minimum standards Can the biological control agents cause any significant displacement of any native species within its natural habitat? …cause any significant deterioration of natural habitats? …cause any significant adverse effects on human health and safety? ...cause any significant adverse effect to New Zealand’s inherent genetic diversity? …cause disease, be parasitic, or become a vector for human, animal or plant disease? Additional matters Undesirable self-sustaining population Ease of eradication Recommendation Our assessment has found that the benefits of releasing the biological control agents outweigh any identified risks or costs and meets the minimum standards. We recommend that the application be approved.