9 May 2017 Bio News Working together for a pest free Auckland In this edition. We have a newsletter full of things to watch out for myrtle rust, kiwi in the Hunua Ranges, guava moth, the new guide to the ecosystems of Auckland, plus the chance to nominate your local conservation hero for the awards at the upcoming International Biodiversity Day event. Myrtle rust hopefully not coming to a place near you Some of you may have heard a couple of weeks ago that myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) was found on Raoul Islands in the Kermadecs. This was worrying enough, but on Thursday 4 May disease was found on pohutukawa plants in a Kerikeri nursery (and since then also a private neighbouring property). Myrtle rust can seriously damage various species of native and introduced plants in the myrtle family, including pohutukawa, rata, manuka, gum, bottlebrush and feijoa. It is too soon to say whether it could have an impact on the multi-million dollar manuka honey industry. The fungal disease was discovered in a tree nursery in Kerikeri among five pohutukawa seedlings, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said. "MPI has moved quickly and initiated a restricted place notice to restrict the movement of any plants Myrtle rust has powdery yellow eruptions, like the image at the top of this page, but also appears with red lesions. The rust is found on the leaves, stems, flowers and fruit of affected species. and people at the site, and is treating nursery stock with fungicide spray as a precaution. Work is also underway to trace any stock that has left the nursery and all other nurseries in Kerikeri are being inspected. Left: Myrtle Rust on fruit of Rhodamnia rubescens, Australia Right: a close-up of the spore eruptions (on a chilean guava) The rust rapidly spread from South America across to Queensland where it was first detected in 2010. It is thought the disease arrived here on the wind from Australia. While it is not known how long it has been on the mainland, it is possible it arrived as recently as when Cyclone Debbie hit in April. Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said there was no known method of controlling the disease in the wild, apart from application of fungicide in very small areas as a last resort. Even if it was eradicated, it could always arrive again from Australia. The public should call MPI on 0800 80 99 66 if they think they have seen the rust. MPI said it was very important not to touch the plants or attempt to collect samples as it would spread the disease. In particular, anyone who has purchased any plants from the myrtle family in the last month should check for physical signs and contact MPI if any are seen. See the last page of this newsletter for a list of potentially affected species. For more information on what to look for, go to MPI s alerts page www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-andresponse/responding/alerts/myrtle-rust Sections reproduced from an article in stuff.co.nz on 4 May 2017
Kiwi return to Hunua Ranges (Published 31 March 2017in OurAuckland) North Island brown kiwi were released on the 31 March in the Hunua Ranges, the first of their species to inhabit the area for decades. The kiwi were transferred from Project Kiwi at Kuaotunu on the Coromandel Peninsula. An ongoing success story Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore farms adjacent to the Hunua Ranges and has been involved and supportive of the forest s pest control programme, which includes intensive pest control in the 1500ha Kōkako Management Area and an aerial bait project (using 1080) carried out in mid-2015. The Hunua Ranges pest control programme is an ongoing success story from being in a position where no kōkako chicks fledged in early 2015 to a record season in 2016 and 2017," he says. Pest numbers are still low enough in the Kōkako Management Area that brown kiwi can now be released. Thanks needs to go to iwi, our wonderful volunteers, our neighbours and especially to Auckland Council staff involved in this award-winning project. A fantastic result, says Cr Cashmore. Herbert the kiwi prior to his release, held by Andrew Nelson from Auckland Council s Biodiversity team Mace Ward, General Manager, Parks Sport and Recreation and Mayor Phil Goff with Te Whai, the kiwi named by the Mayor. Partnership with iwi Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Tamaoho have partnered with Auckland Council to bring north island brown kiwi back to Ngaherenui o Kohukohunui the Hunua Ranges. Tipa Compain, chairman of Wharekawa Marae Trust, says Paoa-Whanaunga of the marae are fully behind the repatriation of kiwi which they consider taonga (a natural treasure). We look forward to working with the other mana whenua tribes and Auckland Council to nurture the kiwi, Compain says. 'A significant contribution' Mayor Phil Goff was thrilled to take part in the release. It s fantastic we can bring kiwi back to south Auckland, Goff says. This release has the potential to make a significant contribution to kiwi recovery nationally. A rigorous pest control programme carried out across the Hunua Ranges has made it possible for kiwi to return to the area for the first time in decades. The council and its partners plan to release at least 40 kiwi into the regional park over the next six years. Image: Michael Ngatai Working together to ensure success Hauauru Rawiri, kaihautū for Ngāti Paoa, says the return of kiwi to the rohe (tribal area) is special. Kiwi are taonga, of cultural importance for Māori and of ecological significance to the forest. Seeing these hidden birds of Tāne return home is potentially the catalyst for the repatriation of more endangered fauna and flora. However, Rawiri says it is important that everyone, including the local community, schools, iwi, businesses, council and central government, works together to ensure the sustainability of the kiwi in the rohe. Kiwi waiting in their boxes on the paepae at Wharekawa Marae prior to their release in the Hunua Ranges
Bugwatch Guava Moth If your feijoa crop is dropping earlier than expected, the skin is damaged and the flesh inside is brown or discoloured, the most likely culprit is guava moth (Coscinoptycha improbana). More Aucklanders are starting to notice guava moths causing problems in their fruit trees. The guava moth is well established in Northland (it was first found there in 1997) and has made its way south to Auckland over the past few years. The pest damages a wide range of produce including feijoas, guavas, macadamia nuts, stone fruits and citrus. Female moths lay their eggs on the fruit, and upon hatching larvae drill into the flesh, causing significant damage and loss. Guava moth damage on feijoas How to identify the guava moth You can identify the presence of guava moths by small entry holes in the skin of the fruit, along with tunnels and larvae inside the fruit. Infestation may also make the fruit appear bruised and cause it to drop early. Recognising our volunteers Nominations have opened for the second annual Auckland Council Biosecurity and Biodiversity Volunteer Awards. Chair of the council s Environment and Community Committee Penny Hulse is a big supporter of the wards Volunteers across Auckland play a huge role in protecting and restoring our unique biodiversity, says Cr Hulse. They passionately protect our nest, and it s only right that Auckland recognises and celebrates the efforts and achievements of our volunteers. Auckland Council General Manager Environmental Services says this year s awards include two categories Innovation and Influence. Innovation The winner of the innovation category will be the person or group judged to be most creative using heaps of initiative. They are early adopters and monitor the result of their actions. They aren t afraid to try new things, or make something if it doesn t exist, to achieve their environmental goal. They may even be slightly unorthodox but they get the job done and do it well, says Ms Ogilvie. Influence In the influence category, the winner will be the person or group judged to be best connected to their community and who go out of their way to help and share their methods with others, beginners and experienced alike, or bring in new people to a project. They will connect like-minded folks together and be natural leaders, generating tons of enthusiasm and momentum to achieve environmental aims. A guava moth and larva. Images: Plant and Food Research Tips for controlling the guava moth population Wrap the fruit in fine weave mesh and tape it to the branch to prevent the female moth laying eggs on the fruit. This should be done when the fruit is green but just about to ripen. Whole trees can be covered if they are small enough. Purchase a pheromone trap, which works by replicating the pheromones produced by female moths in order to catch male moths. This may reduce the extent of infestations. Solar traps can also be used. Check with your local garden centre to see if they stock either of these. Remove rotting fruit from the ground and mow regularly beneath fruit trees. This is effective because the moths pupate in the leaf litter and fruit pulp. Avoid composting fallen fruit as the moths can complete their lifecycle in some compost systems. Above: Finalists of the 2016 group award L-R: Friends of Oakley Creek (rep Wendy John); Friends of Maungawhau (rep Jean Barton); Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing and Motutapu Island Trust (rep Ken Samson) Nominations should be emailed to biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz by Wednesday 17 May 2017 and the awards will be announced at an International Biodiversity Day event on 24 May.
Weedspotters Arrowhead Rowena Gilchrist and Mary Stewart, Biosecurity Advisors Plants Arrowhead or Hawaii Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia L.) is an aquatic herbaceous plant whose native range is in Asia and Europe. It grows to 1m by 0.5m and has glossy narrow arrow-like leaves on triangular stalks. Flowers appear from October to April with three petals, white with purple blotches at the base. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by insects. Arrowhead spreads locally from a creeping tuberous root system and from seeds that can float. It spreads via fragments, tubers and seeds. Tubers are walnut size and grow just below the mud surface on creeping runners. These have been found on private properties being cultivated in buckets and ponds. In two cases arrowhead has been found on properties with other Total Control and Unwanted Organisms that are known for use in Chinese medicine and cooking. Tubers and leaves are both edible, the roots are reported to be nice roasted and are likened to potatoes. The tubers are starchy with a distinct flavour. The leaves and young stems can be cooked but are apparently somewhat acrid. Arrowhead is also used as a herbal medicine (not recommended)! A typical arrowhead leaf Arrowhead is a very hardy, invasive species which has the potential to displace native marginal species, block waterways and contribute to flooding. It is recorded as a nuisance weed in over 50 countries in irrigation channels, waterways and wetlands. This invasive potential stems from its remarkable ability to adapt, both in form and physiology to a variety of habitats. It is hardy to frost and can be found in sub-arctic to tropical environments. A haul of arrowhead that was seized from a Te Atatu property and destroyed The most recent find was found in Te Atatu by Sam Happy and Ron Matthews who happened to be stuck in slow-moving Auckland traffic and noticed some suspicious looking buckets along the driveway of a property. A return trip later confirmed the find and the landowner notified. As is often the case, the owner was completely unaware of the Total Control status of the plant in the Regional Pest Management Strategy and its potential impact on the environment. Fortunately the landowner was understanding, and cooperated with the process of Council removing the plants for disposal. Please keep an eye out for arrowhead, (and suspicious looking buckets!) and report any suspect sightings to the Auckland Council Biosecurity team. The best way is by email to biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Arrowhead infesting a drainage channel in NSW, Australia Other Arrowhead species include S. montevidensis (Giant arrowhead) and S. platyphylla (Delta arrowhead) which have previously been found in Auckland. All three species are classified as Total Control plants in the Auckland region. A few interceptions of arrowhead have been made in the last few years in Henderson and Te Atatu. Above: Hawaii arrowhead tuberous roots Insert: Hawaii arrowhead flowers
Auckland terrestrial and wetland ecosystem guide The Biodiversity team have recently finished a major project, the compiling of the Indigenous terrestrial and wetland ecosystems of Auckland. This new guide describes the 36 terrestrial and wetland ecosystems that have been identified by Auckland Council as occurring in the Auckland region. This information will be used to determine priorities for biodiversity protection, restoration and management, and inform land use decisions. The work is based on the national ecosystem classification system developed by the Department of Conservation (Singers & Rogers 2014). This same classification system was used as the basis for the Department of Conservation s Natural Heritage Management System. It was adopted by Auckland Council so that its programme would complement the work of the Department of Conservation. Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Taranaki and Wellington regional authorities have also classified their region s terrestrial and wetland ecosystems using Singers and Rogers (2014). A Link to the guide can be found on the biodiversity section of the website, aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/biodiversity Rhus tree - The Pretty Poisoner Don Austin, Senior Biosecurity advisor The Rhus tree, Toxicodendron succedaneum, is also known as Japanese wax tree, Poison sumac and previously known as Rhus succedanea. It is a picturesque and colourful garden tree growing up to 8m tall. This was a popular ornamental garden plant several years ago and has caused cases of severe allergic reactions and in some instances hospitalisation. It was previously planted because of its brilliant foliage. Its leaves turn bright red, scarlet or crimson in the autumn resulting in a spectacular display. Severe dermatitis can occur up to seven days after contact and is often accompanied by localised swelling of the face, arms, and legs. Chronic sufferers may have more extreme symptoms over a longer period. The first contact with Rhus may not produce a significant reaction. It is generally subsequent contact(s) that result in a reaction. Almost everyone is potentially allergic to Rhus and people such as arborists, tree removers and gardeners should not assume they are immune because they have not reacted to initial contact. All parts of the tree are toxic including the smoke with the sap being the most toxic. Left: An example of the reaction an encounter with Rhus may cause Should you plan to remove a Rhus tree from your property, and unless you feel competent and have all the right safety equipment, the best option is to engage a professional tree removal company to carry out the task. Under the current Regional Pest Management Strategy, Rhus is classified as a Surveillance Pest Plant and is banned from sale, distribution and propagation in the Auckland region. You can contact the biosecurity team on biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or go to Plantsearch on the council website to find out more.
Making a difference for the little blues MADal and MAD Marine students have recently built and installed Little Penguin boxes ( houses ) on Great Barrier Island. Little penguin is the world s smallest penguin and is native to New Zealand and southern Australia. These birds are declining due to introduced predators, habitat loss and human disturbance. 18 penguin boxes were constructed by 31 students, using recycled materials and volunteer labour. The boxes were transported to Great Barrier with the generous support of Sustainable Coastlines and SeaWeek.org. One of the boxes installed last year has seen its first chick hatch this season. Image: Michael Jessup One of the of boxes the MAD students made this year (MAD stands for 'Make A Difference' a youth leadership programme for young, environmentally minded, potential youth leaders or MADsters). To find out more about the MAD programme go to the Environment and waste / Education and volunteering / Youth sustainability programmes page on the Auckland Council website. Myrtaceae in New Zealand The following species from the myrtaceae family are some of those found in New Zealand that could be affected by myrtle rust. There is a more comprehensive list found on The Department of Conservation (DoC) website follow the link in the myrtle rust article featured on the homepage. Native species Common name manuka, tea tree, kahikatoa Great Barrier Island kanuka Three Kings kanuka Kermadec pohutukawa manuoea, titira, atitira, kanuka ramarama, bubble leaf rohutu, New Zealand myrtle white rata, akatea crimson rata, carmine rata Pohutukawa, New Zealand Christmas tree Northern rata Southern rata Rohutu, myrtle swamp maire, maire tawake, waiwaka rata moehau, Bartlett's rata Exotic species Common name common red bottle brush, crimson bottle brush, lemon bottlebrush, honey myrtle bottlebrush silver dollar gum buxton gum, silver gum Metrosideros Tahiti lilly pilly, monkey apple Chilean guava Feijoa Species Leptospermum scoparium var. incanum Kunzea sinclairii Kunzea triregensis Metrosideros kermadecensis Kunzea ericoides Kunzea robusta Lophomyrtus bullata Lophomyrtus obcordata Metrosideros albiflora Metrosideros diffusa Metrosideros carminea Metrosideros excelsa Metrosideros robusta Metrosideros umbellata Neomyrtus pedunculata Syzygium maire Metrosideros bartlettii Species Melaleuca citrina Callistemon rigidus Eucalyptus cinerea Eucalyptus crenulata Metrosideros collina cv Tahiti Syzygium smithii Ugni molinae Acca sellowiana Shoots on pōhutukawa on Raoul Island affected by myrtle rust Image: DoC To find out more about any of the topics featured in this newsletter, you can email biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz The next issue of Bio News is due out in early July 2017.