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.