Broom
Project overview
Scotch broom is native to the Mediterranean. It produces dense stands, impeding the establishment of native species. It is present throughout New Zealand.
Five agents have been released to attack broom: the broom gall mite (Aceria genistae), broom leaf beetle (Gonioctena olivacea), broom psyllid (Arytainilla spartiophila), broom seed beetle (Bruchidus villosus), and broom shoot moth (Agonopterix assimilella). In addition, the broom twig miner (Leucoptera spartifoliella) has self-introduced and causes considerable damage in some areas by attacking the foliage. The seed beetle is now destroying much of the seed produced annually. The psyllid damages new growth in spring and is becoming common but damaging outbreaks occur rarely. Of the more recently released agents, the leaf beetle appears to be establishing but the status of the shoot moth is unknown. The gall mite is establishing readily and showing much promise.
Ecological studies suggest that biological control is likely to be able to succeed against broom in the longer term.
- Broom delivers a psyllid surprise Link
- pdf Broom gall mite a decade on - Issue 75, p.3 pdf File, 849 KB
- pdf Untangling the food web inside broom galls - Issue 69, p.3-4 pdf File, 882 KB
- pdf Leu, friend or foe for broom biocontrol? Issue 69, p.4-5 pdf File, 882 KB
- pdf Size does matter - Issue 69, p.6 pdf File, 882 KB
- pdf What do zebra chips have to do with broom biocontrol? Issue 64, p.6-7 pdf File, 686 KB
- pdf Broom control in the wilderness - Issue 60, p.4 pdf File, 705 KB
- pdf More to seed–feeders than meets the eye - Issue 52, p.5 pdf File, 581 KB
- pdf Untangling a food web on broom - Issue 57, p.2 pdf File, 924 KB
- pdf New broom agent unleashed - Issue 39, p.1 pdf File, 741 KB
- pdf Bees busted - Issue 38, p.3 pdf File, 557 KB
- pdf Broom roundup - Issue 38, p.4 pdf File, 557 KB
- pdf The broom and the bees - Issue 33, p.3 pdf File, 2 MB