Small wasp to tackle giant willow aphid
A tiny wasp has been approved for release into the New Zealand environment to fight the giant willow aphid.
New Zealand Crown Research Institute Scion applied to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to import and release the parasitoid wasp, Pauesia nigrovaria, as a biological control agent for the giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus).
The EPA called for public submissions on the application, and held a public hearing before a Decision-making Committee in Wellington on 24 October 2019.
The Committee concluded that the benefits of releasing P. nigrovaria outweighed the potential risks and therefore approved the application.