Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Subterranean Termites Auckland 2007
The presence of exotic subterranean termites, Coptotermes acinaciformis , was confirmed at a property in South Rodney (Auckland) on 10 January 2007. An initial inspection detected termite activity within a shed and in adjacent planter boxes. The likely sources of the infestation are imported Australian railway sleepers used to construct the boxes.
There have been no new infected sites or risk movements identified through trace back/forth activities. However, in mid-January 2007, a large swarm of winged alates was seen emerging from one of the planter boxes. The probability that new colonies have established as a result of alate flights from the known infestation is considered low.
No termites have been detected so far in the property’s main house or in neighbouring properties. Surveillance of the wider area has been completed by the end of March 2007. Intensive surveys of 500-m radius around the infestation source resulted in detection of numerous native termites; however no exotic termites have been detected strongly suggesting that the infestation remained confined to the initial incursion spot (planter boxes and the adjacent structures).
Biosecurity New Zealand is eradicating the subterranean termites using hexaflumuron baited stations. The baits have been laid by the end of January 2007. Inspection of stations in February and March 2007 indicated that the termites commenced with ingesting the baits.
A service of the Sentricon installation in May and June 2007 revealed no termite activity in the monitoring and baiting stations; however it is not considered at this site that the colony has been eliminated. It cannot be forecasted precisely how long the eradication action might take. Once the initial colony elimination is achieved, it will be followed with a monitoring programme for a several years before the colony can be declared eradicated. Biosecurity New Zealand is optimistic about successful eradication of C. acinaciformis from Rodney.
Don Hammond (From NZIF newsletter Number 2007/26 – 6 July 2007)
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