Application For Biological Control Of Tradescantia

Re-Notification Of Application For Biological Control Of Tradescantia

ERMA New Zealand is re-advertising an application to import and release a Brazilian beetle to control the weed Tradescantia fluminensis, commonly known as wandering willie.

The original application, from Auckland Regional Council on behalf of a consortium of regional councils and the Department of Conservation, was received and public submissions sought late last year.

In the process of considering the application, advice was received from Landcare Research that additional expert taxonomic research had shown that the beetle should be called Neolema ogloblini rather than Lema obscura. Both species are extremely similar in appearance and biology.

Dr Geoff Ridley of ERMA said that once advised of the change, the Authority was bound to re-notify the application, using the correct name, in the interests both of accuracy and transparency.

The application is open for public submissions to ERMA New Zealand until 14 August 2008.

For information on the submission process, please refer to the website, www.ermanz.govt.nz

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