Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Auger beetles in an imported umbrella
From Biosecurity 98, June 2010.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) recently recalled from distribution outlets market umbrellas imported from China and fumigated them following the detection of 23 live auger beetles, Sinoxylon anale in a single umbrella. Since 2002, there have been 26 interceptions of Sinoxylon spp. in New Zealand, about 58 percent of which came from Asia on a variety of wood products.
The auger beetle, also known as a powderpost beetle, is a destructive wood borer. It is considered one of the most destructive wood borers in the tropics, with both adults and larvae feeding on a great variety of plants. It is a primary borer in the sapwood of logs and timbers used in building houses, boxes and packing cases.
The auger beetle is widespread throughout the tropics. It is present in certain parts of Australia, but there is currently no evidence that it is established in Australia in places with a similar climate to that of New Zealand. However, it is possible it could survive in warm parts of the North Island.
Several live auger beetles were recently found in a single wooden market umbrella purchased from an Auckland store by a member of the public.
MAFBNZ investigators traced the infested umbrella back to 13 containers imported from China. Import documentation showed the products had been fumigated before export. On arrival in New Zealand, each consignment was inspected in accordance with MAFBNZ’s import health standard (IHS) for wood and forest products. No insects were found during inspection, though wood borers can be difficult to detect in consignments.
Following this detection, MAFBNZ recalled all the umbrellas from New Zealand distribution centres and fumigated them. MAFBNZ requested the store to direct any future reports of borer beetles to the MAFBNZ exotic disease and pest emergency hotline (0800 80 99 66).
MAFBNZ has notified stakeholders of this detection and actions it has taken to protect New Zealand’s forests and trees. The MAFBNZ Border Standards Directorate is also considering changes to the wood and forest products IHS to better manage risks associated with such pathways and minimise the risk posed by wood borers.
MAFBNZ appreciates the contribution to New Zealand’s biosecurity by the vigilant member of the public who contacted the 0800 hotline number.
Emmanuel Yamoah, Adviser, Plant Response, MAFBNZ, emmanuel.yamoah@maf.govt.nz; Shane Olsen, Adviser, Border Standards, MAFBNZ, shane.olsen@maf.govt.nz; Heather Pearson, Incursion Investigator, Investigation and Diagnostic Centre (IDC), MAFBNZ, heather.pearson@maf.govt.nz
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