Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Subterranean termites - Nelson and Auckland 2008
From MAF BNZ Report to Forest Biosecurity Consultative Committee, July 31 2008.
- A colony of Australian subterranean termites, Coptotermes acinaciformis, was detected from Richmond, Nelson in January 2006 and at a property in South Rodney, Auckland in January 2007. The likely sources of both infestations are historically imported Australian railway sleepers used in landscaping. An eradiation programme is underway at both locations.
- MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is eradicating the subterranean termites using the Sentricon Baiting system that uses the active ingredient hexaflumuron, which has been proven to prevent termites from moulting, resulting in death and eventual elimination of the colony.
- In Nelson, inspections throughout 2006 through to summer 2007 indicated that termites were ingesting considerable amounts of toxic bait. The last bait station inspections were completed in May and June 2007. There were no signs of termite activity, indicating that the colony is eliminated. A monitoring programme whereby the two infested properties and four neighbouring properties will be inspected every three months will be operation for up to five years before the infestation can be declared eradicated. A third delimiting survey out to 100 m from the two infested sites occurred in April 2008 with no live termite activity detected.
- In Auckland, a third survey out to 500 m of the infested site occurred in April 2008 with no signs of termite activity detected, indicating that the colony is eliminated. Like Nelson, a regular monitoring programme will commence in July 2008 and will continue for up to five years before the infestation can officially be declared eradicated. The monitoring programme will involve regular inspections of the property every three months.
- An application for full registration of the termiticide hexaflumuron was lodged with the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) in October 2007. To ensure hexaflumuron is available for the Auckland termite response, a special emergency was given by the Minister on 24 December 2007, and has formally been accepted by ERMA until full registration is obtained.
Sheree Christian
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