Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Australian termite activity
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health News 77, August 1998.
After having a low profile for some years, Australian subterranean termites are back on the agenda. The recent discovery of colonies of Coptotermes sp. at Matamata and Morrinsville, the Hobsonville flying-boat base wharf infestation found a couple of years ago, and the continuing interest in the site at Otorohanga, are the main reasons.
Australian subterranean termite sites in New Zealand are always associated with the original piece of imported timber. A colony held in quarantine at the then Forest Research Institute for some 12 years had numerous alate flights, and it was not possible to induce the sibling reproductives to mate. Presumably some sort of "incest block" occurs. Thus it would be necessary for there to be two separate colonies, within flight range of each other, and having coinciding flights, for a new colony to be founded. If a colony is widespread, and the original nest and material are removed, then secondary reproductives may, in the right circumstances, start a secondary nest or nests.
In the past, control has been achieved by puffing arsenic dust into the tunnels, trenching and soil poisoning, and removal of the original nest when possible. As time passes existing colonies are likely to be more spread out, and the original nest may no longer exist. These situations are more difficult to deal with. New technologies in the form of better baits and the use of hormone analogues rather than poisons offer better ways of dealing with any new finds. Some of these techniques are being investigated by MAF.
Better port inspection, fumigation, and the fact that we use very few Australian hardwood poles now, have combined to reduce the number of subterranean termites being imported. It is quite likely however that there are still a few belated colonies waiting to be discovered. If you suspect that you have discovered a colony of "white ants" it is important to disturb it as little as possible so that an assessment of the original site, runways, and any secondary colonies can be made. MAF is responsible for investigating, and the contact is Mark Ross, at MAF Head Office in Wellington.
(Roger Crabtree and John Bain, Forest Research)
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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