Of about 40,000 plant species in New Zealand, a whopping 38,000 or so come from somewhere else. Many introduced plants are important for agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. Others are ornamentals we enjoy in our parks and gardens. Still others arrived accidentally in cargo or other imported items.
Not all introduced plants are a problem, but some can smother native vegetation, outcompete crops, poison livestock, clog waterways, and/or cause other damage. Of these weeds, a significant subset have a chance to be effectively managed with biocontrol. Here is more information about the weeds that have been the target of biocontrol or are being worked on.
