Sawflies to tackle old man’s beard
Council biosecurity staff have released old man’s beard sawflies (monophadnus spinolae) in a bid to control the highly invasive pest plant.
Senior Biosecurity Officer Brent Holms says old man's beard is a serious problem throughout the Marlborough region and one of the country’s worst and most widespread invasive alien plants.
“It's a deciduous, climbing, layering vine that can grow up to 20 metres high and in suitable habitats it rapidly dominates, smothers and eventually kills all types of vegetation,” he said. “We are hoping that sawfly will dramatically slow the spread and reduce the impact of old man’s beard.”
Old man’s beard sawflies were first imported by Manaaki Whenua Landcare. Research in 1997 from central Europe but they did not establish readily. In 2018 a new population was imported which has grown successfully. Sawfly larvae damage old man’s beard by feeding on the leaves.
Council’s Biosecurity team’s work includes managing plant, animal and marine pest species, with the ever-present risk of new threats that can impact our environment, primary industries and quality of life.
For more information on our website on unwanted pests
You can contact the Biosecurity team on Ph: 03 520 7400 or email biosecurity@marlborough.govt.nz