These natural enemies have been introduced to combat invasive pasture weeds in Vanuatu. The hibiscus bur lace bug from Malaysia feeds exclusively on the leaves of hibiscus bur (Urena lobata), progressively defoliating the plant and eventually killing the weed.
Similarly, the Pico beetle from Jamaica targets prickly solanum (Solanum torvum), also known locally as Pico, stripping the plant of its leaves and helping pastures to recover. Both natural enemies offer sustainable, safe and long-term solutions for controlling these invasive weeds and restoring local pastures.
The joint release addresses the urgent need to control invasive weeds, which threaten ecosystems and livelihoods across Vanuatu. Invasive species such as hibiscus bur and Pico have severely reduced the productivity of grazing lands, harmed local biodiversity, and increased the financial burden on farmers.
This initiative also aligns with efforts to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. By restoring grazing lands and reducing invasive plant dominance, these natural solutions enhance ecosystem health, improve food security, and support the resilience of communities in the face of changing environmental conditions.
This work would not be possible without the support of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), which has since 2018 funded a programme to better manage weeds in Vanuatu. International collaboration plays a pivotal role in the success of biocontrol efforts, and this event is a testament to the shared commitment to tackling invasive species across the Pacific.
Locally, Biosecurity Vanuatu has provided invaluable leadership and expertise, ensuring the project is tailored to the needs and challenges of communities in Vanuatu. VARTC will work closely with them to establish these natural enemies in Santo and monitor their impact.
As the technical lead for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service’s (PRISMSS) Natural Enemies – Natural Solutions (NENS) Programme, a team from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR) is hand-delivering the insects.
The PRISMSS NENS programme aims to lower the impact of widespread invasive plants. Led by MWLR, NENS reduces the vigour of widespread weeds through reuniting them with safe natural enemies from their original homeland. The NENS programme initiatives empowers Pacific communities by improving the health and well-being of all living things and ecosystems.
PRISMSS is a coordinating mechanism designed to facilitate the scaling up of operational management of invasive species in the Pacific and brings together experts to provide support within the Pacific region with a focus on protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystem function.
As a service provider, PRISMSS provides a comprehensive suite of support services in a cohesive, effective, efficient, and accessible manner to Pacific Island countries and territories.
“MWLR researchers have spent 5 years studying the insects to ensure they are suitable to deploy in Vanuatu,” said Senior Researcher Lynley Hayes.
“Invasive weeds like hibiscus bur and prickly solanum have devastated grazing lands across Vanuatu. Farmers have faced reduced livestock numbers, lower yields, and escalating costs for chemical or manual weed removal.
The introduction of natural enemies is a game-changer, offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution to these challenges,” said Steglar Tabi Aga, CEO of VARTC.
With the release of these two new natural enemies, which is a world first, Vanuatu continues to lead the way in sustainable, nature-based solutions for invasive species management in the Pacific and through this collaboration is paving the path to a more resilient future.
