Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Australian subterranean termites in New Zealand
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health News 227, July 2012.
Recently the Ministry for Primary Industries announced that an incursion of Australian subterranean termites (Coptotermes acinaciformis) has been eradicated from a property in Coatsville, Auckland. The termites were first found there in 2007 and are thought to have arrived in Australian hardwood railway sleepers used for garden landscaping. The last live termites were found at the site in 2008.
Australian subterranean termites (Coptotermes acinaciformis and C. frenchi) were first found in New Zealand in 1938 in Auckland. There were hundreds of discrete infestations all associated with imported Australian hardwood utility poles and tram sleepers. The problem was so severe that in 1940 the Termite Act was passed by government. This Act and its associated regulations formed the basis of a “termite control campaign.” This Act was repealed in 1976. Subterranean termites are now dealt with under the Biosecurity Act.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is currently managing three other responses to this termite in Nelson, Pukekohe and Point Wells. Let’s hope these meet with the same success as all the other subterranean termite programmes.
For further information see Forest Health News 159 (2006).
John Bain
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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