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Application to release Sydney golden wattle gall wasp

An application to introduce a biological control agent for A. longifolia for Sydney golden wattle was approved by the EPA in November 2022.

Sydney golden wattle invading dunes in Portugal.

Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae is a small wasp that forms galls on the flower-buds of the wattle. Sydney golden wattle was once a major threat to biodiversity values in South Africa but biocontrol using this biocontrol agent has largely removed that threat.

Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae was introduced to South Africa in the 1980s, and together with a seed-feeding weevil, this agent suppresses over 90% of the seed every year, and damage by the gall wasp is often so severe that plants die. The application sought approval to introduce the gall wasp, the most effective of the two agents. 

Background

This application was submitted by Horizons Regional Council. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research provided the science, prepared the application and managed the application process, including consultation with EPA, Māori and other stakeholders.

SGW originates from Australia but has become a weed in several countries including South Africa and Portugal. It is a tall shrub that can sometimes grow to 10 m tall. It invades open habitats and scrub-land, especially in coastal areas. It can form dense, shady stands that displace species, change habitats and increase the risk of fire. It is particularly invasive in dune ecosystems and is a key weed in the nationally significant Kaimaumau swamp in Northland. In addition to the sites recorded on the map, Regional councils report that SGW is a problem on Matakana Island (Bay of Plenty), Rabbit Island (Nelson), Muriwai (Auckland) and in dunes near Wanganui and Levin. It has been widely planted as an ornamental and early spring flowers provide food for bees.

Distribution of Acacia longifolia (red dots) A. sophorae (green) and A. floribunda (open) populations as recorded in the Australasian Virtual Herbarium and in Department of Conservation records (D. Havell, DOC, pers. comm.)

More information about SGW and its control can be found here.

Identification and assessment of risks, costs and benefits

The potential risks, costs and benefits associated with the proposed introduction to New Zealand of Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae and the possible reduction in the abundance and vigour of SGW were identified by literature review and by consultation with stakeholders.

The application addressed in detail the significant adverse and the beneficial effects identified (highlighted in bold). The potential benefits of biological control will be the mitigation of the adverse effects. The key potential adverse effects relate to impacts on native flora and fauna. These were addressed fully in the application:

  • the risk of direct damage to native plants
  • the risk of direct damage to valued commercial and ornamental plants
  • indirect effects on flora and fauna as a result of disruption of ecological relationships

Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae is a small wasp (5mm) that causes galls in flower buds that prevent flower production. Remaining buds go on to flower and set pods. Galling by T. acaciaelongifoliae is often so severe that SGW plants die. Working together, these two agents limit seed production by over 90%. A. longifolia was once a major threat to biodiversity values of the Cape fynbos biome but biocontrol has been so successful that it is no longer classed among South Africa’s top weeds.

Wasp galls replacing flower buds on Sydney golden wattle. Image: projectnoah.org

The evidence that the gall wasp is safe to introduce to New Zealand is strong. A biological control programme for SGW in South Africa began in the 1980s. The centrifugal testing protocols that form the accepted basis for assessment of risk to non-target plants state that closely-related plants are more likely to be hosts in a new environment than less closely-related plants. Extensive tests were conducted to assess the risk that the biological control agent posed to non-target plants, and on that evidence, release into South Africa was approved (Donnelly, 1992; Impson et al., 2011). Close observation there since 1982 shows that the galls wasp is restricted to SGW except for occasional attack on SGW’s nearest relative, A. floribunda. No other plants have been attacked. Following additional host-range tests the wasp was recently released in Portugal. Galls formed only on SGW (Marchante et al., 2011). No additional tests of native plants or other valued species in New Zealand are required because the wealth of evidence already available overseas shows that the agent is safe to release here. This is evidence that was considered by EPA when determining whether the agent should be released here.

The wasp is expected to be host specific in New Zealand. Populations will only be detectable near the target plant. Significant interactions with other plants or animals will only be possible near SGW plants. Disturbance of ecological relationships in New Zealand is not expected to be significant. These issues will be discussed in detail in the application.

Pre-application consultation with Iwi

The members of the EPA's national network (Te Herenga) were contacted in January 2019 and invited to enter dialogue on plan to apply to EPA to introduce a biological control agents against Sydney golden wattle.

The message to Te Herenga described how the applicant intends to assess the risks, costs and benefits associated with the proposed introductions. Members will be invited to identify any issues that they would like to be addressed in the application. Further consultation was coordinated through the Ngāpuhi HSNO komiti and the Ngāi Tahu HSNO komiti. Horizons Regional Council consulted with iwi and hapū to record their views of this proposal. These views were incorporated into the application. 

The responses specifically related to the proposed introduction of the wasp are summarised here:

  • Summary of Iwi responses 

At the request of the applicant, EPA convened a reference group from Te Herenga to meet and discuss the issues surrounding the proposed applications. The application addressed the principles identified in that report.

Members of Te Herenga are informed by EPA when each application is open for public submission and will be able to comment on how the applicant has addressed issues raised during consultation.

Pre-application consultation with other organisations

Other organisations consulted:

  • Department of Conservation staff
  • Regional Councils
  • QEII National Trust
  • NZ Landcare Trust
  • Ecological Society of New Zealand Federated Farmers
  • Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
  • Pamu Farms Ltd
  • NZ Plant Protection
  • NZ Entomological Society
  • NZ Plant Producers Incorporated
  • NZ Forest Owners Association

A summary of responses are provided here:

  • Summary of responses

Key documents

Cited references

Donnelly, D. (1992) The potential host range of three seed-feeding Melanterius spp. (Curculionidae), candidates for the biological control of Australian Acacia spp. and Paraserianthes (Albizia) lophantha in South Africa. Phytophylactica 24: 163-167.

Hill, R.L. (2005) Prospects for the biological control of Sydney golden wattle,Acacia longifolia, using Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae and Melanterius ventralis. Unpublished Landcare Research Contract Report LC0506/009, 22 p.

Marchante, H., Freitas, H., Hoffman, J.H. (2011) Assessing the suitability of a well-known bud-galling wasp, Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae, for biological control of Acacia longifolia in Portugal. Biological Control 56: 193-201.

Impson, F.A.C., Kleijan, C.A., Hoffman, J.H., Post, J.A., Wood, A.R. (2011) Biological control of Australian Acacia species and Paraserianthes lophantha (Willd. ) Nielsen (Mimosacae) in South Africa. African Entomology 19: 186-207.