ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY DECISION

Application code NOR99002 Application type Import for Release any New Organism under section 34(1)(a) of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. Applicant New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc. and the Avocado Industry Council Organism Thripobius semiluteus Boucek (1976) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Purpose To import for release the biological control agent Thripobius semiluteus, giving citrus and avocado growers an alternative option for controlling greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis). Date application received 16 April 1999 Hearing date 09 May 2000 Considered by A Special Committee of the Authority appointed under section 19(2)(b) of the HSNO Act 1996. ERMA New Zealand Anne Rose contact Decision

The new organism, Thripobius semiluteus Boucek (1976) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is approved for importation for release. Purpose of Application

The application is for approval to import for release the insect parasitoid T. semiluteus, for biological control of greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae: subfamily Panchaetothripinae).

The greenhouse thrips, first recorded in New Zealand in the 1930s, is a cosmopolitan plant- feeding thrips that has become established throughout the North Island and in Nelson in the South Island. It is a major pest of commercial citrus and avocado orchards, and causes feeding damage to more than 40 species of plants in New Zealand, including fruit trees and ornamentals.

T. semiluteus is a minute wasp (adults are approximately 0.6 mm in length) which lays eggs in larval greenhouse thrips. Growth of the developing parasitoid results in the death of the thrips larvae prior to pupation. All T. semiluteus are female, and reproduction is by parthenogenesis (ie asexual). Application Process

The application was formally received on 16 April 1999 and verified on 21 December 1999 following an additional information request under section 52(1) of the HSNO Act 1996.

The application was publicly notified on 22 January 2000 in The Dominion, The New Zealand Herald, The Press and The Otago Daily Times. Public submissions closed on 03 March 2000. Eight submissions were received, listed in Annex 1. Two submitters requested to be heard at a public hearing in support of their submission.

Documents available for the evaluation and review of the application by ERMA New Zealand included the application and appendices (including supporting documentation), public submissions, submissions and comment from other government agencies, and additional information requested by the Authority under section 58 of the HSNO Act from the applicants and other parties.

The Authority appointed a Special Committee (the Committee) to determine the application in accordance with section 19(2)(b) of the HSNO Act. The Committee included five members of the Authority: Dr Oliver Sutherland (Chair), Mr Bill Falconer, Mrs Helen Hughes, Professor Colin Mantell and Dr Lindie Nelson, as well as one external member, Dr Murray Parsons (expert in Māori culture and traditions). Hearing

A public hearing was held on 09 May 2000 at the ERMA New Zealand offices in Wellington.

Presentations

The following parties made presentations to the Special Committee:

For the applicant: 1. Dr Ian Warrington CEO (HortResearch) 2. Rick Curtis Chairman (New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc) 3. Dr Jonathan Cutting CEO (Avocado Industry Council) 4. Philippa Stevens Scientist (HortResearch)

For ERMA New Zealand: 1. Anne Rose Project Leader (ERMA New Zealand)

For Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao1: 1. John Hohapata-Oke Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao

Submitters: 1. Clare Millar Department of Conservation Witness: Lisa Sinclair 2. Kevin Smith Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc.

1 Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao has been formally established under clause 42 of the First Schedule to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, as a Māori advisory committee, to advise the Authority on how to take account of issues of concern to Māori (particularly in relation to sections 6(d) and 8 of the Act).

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 2 of 16 Further information

Additional information sought after the hearing from the applicants and considered by the Committee included: i. Information to enable the Committee to form a view on the management of other thrips pests in citrus crops ii. Information to enable the Committee to form a view as to the host-plant range of H. haemorrhoidalis.

The information was forwarded to parties2 to the application for comment. Relevant Legislative Criteria

The application was lodged pursuant to section 34(1)(a) of the HSNO Act. The decision was determined in accordance with section 38, taking into account minimum standards under section 36, additional matters to be considered under section 37, and matters relevant to the purpose of the Act, as specified under Part II of the HSNO Act.

Consideration of the application followed the relevant provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Methodology) Order 1998 (the Methodology). Background to Biological Control

Biological control, as envisaged in this application, involves the introduction of a natural enemy to control an exotic pest. The natural enemy is usually sourced from the area of origin of the pest, in an attempt to re-establish a natural association. Biological control programmes can be aimed at insect pests and weeds and can involve predators, parasites, herbivores or pathogens to control the pest organism.

While not always able to bring insect or weed populations down to below threshold damage levels, biological control in combination with other cultural or pest management techniques often gives growers an opportunity to reduce reliance on pesticides. This can have benefits in relation to human health and safety, environmental pollution, development of pesticide resistance, reduction in chemical residues and opportunities for premium markets for produce. However, besides the ability of a biological control agent to establish successfully and reduce target pest populations, a key issue is its target-specificity and the risk of undesirable impact on non-target species.

To determine the host range of the potential biocontrol agent, and hence the risk to non-target species that its release might incur, host-specificity testing is undertaken, either overseas or in containment in New Zealand. The potential agent is confined with either a non-target species alone (no-choice) or with both the target and a non-target species (choice) and any attack on the non-target species is recorded and assessed. Usually a range of taxonomically closely-related native and exotic species are tested, as well as other species that are less closely-related but that are significant for their biodiversity and/or economic value. While such tests establish the likely

2 Parties: Including submitters, the applicants and relevant Government agencies from whom comment on the application was received.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 3 of 16 host range of the biocontrol agent, they cannot totally preclude any risk to populations of desirable non-target species.

Biological control has formed an integral part of the management of invertebrate pests and weeds in New Zealand from the very early developments of European agriculture in this country. Almost all of the crops grown are of overseas origin and their associated insect pests and weeds have established without most of their natural enemies. For this reason, the importation of natural enemies from the area of origin of these pests has been an important option for control.

New Zealand‟s first biocontrol agent, a predatory ladybird beetle, was released in 1874 to control exotic pest aphids. By 1990, a total of 221 species had been deliberately introduced and released for biological control of insect pests and weeds. Seventy-five of these have become established. Several sectors of the agricultural and horticultural industries have developed integrated pest management (IPM) programmes utilising biocontrol agents together with other management techniques, and biological control can be a component of pest management in organic production. Key Issues

The Committee considers that the key issue associated with the release of T. semiluteus is the potential adverse effect on native fauna arising from non-target parasitism of Sigmothrips aotearoana (Ward), an endemic thrips. Should any significant parasitism of S. aotearoana occur, this would pose a risk to New Zealand‟s endemic biodiversity and to species regarded as taonga by Māori.

Worldwide, T. semiluteus is recorded to be restricted to the family Thripidae, subfamily Panchaetothripinae. T. semiluteus has been reared from seven species of thrips in the Panchaetothripinae: H. haemorrhoidalis has been parasitised in the field and the laboratory; Brachyurothrips anomalus, Panchaetothrips indicus and Selenothrips rubrocinctus have been parasitised in the field; and Hercinothrips femoralis, Hercinothrips bicinctus and S. aotearoana have only been parasitised in the laboratory.

There are five species of thrips within the subfamily Panchaetothripinae recorded to be present in New Zealand. Four of these species, namely H. haemorrhoidalis, H. bicinctus, H. femoralis and Parthenothrips dracaenae, are exotic species that are considered pests in the tropics, and are pests or potential pests in New Zealand. The Committee considers that non-target parasitism of these exotic species would not be an adverse effect. The fifth species, S. aotearoana, is an endemic thrips.

Host-range testing

Both no-choice and choice host-range testing conducted in containment by the applicants showed that T. semiluteus could successfully parasitise and complete development on S. aotearoana and the exotic thrips H. bicinctus, although parasitism of S. aotearoana was limited and H. haemorrhoidalis was the preferred host.

The Committee accepts that the confined conditions of laboratory cages can sometimes give positive results in host-range tests that are not realised in the field. For example, parasitism of H. bicinctus by T. semiluteus has not been recorded in the field, despite the fact that it can be parasitised in the laboratory. Evidence of the lack of field parasitism of H. bicinctus by T. semiluteus has come from three experienced correspondents. H. bicinctus and H. haemorrhoidalis are likely to

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 4 of 16 be present in the same habitat and therefore would have been exposed to the parasitoid at the same time. If H. bicinctus was attacked in the field, parasitism is likely to have been observed in the field overseas. Similarly, it is possible that parasitism of S. aotearoana by T. semiluteus would not eventuate in the field, despite the fact that it can occur in the laboratory.

To enable longer-term prediction of non-target field impacts, the Committee notes that host- range tests conducted over several generations of parasitoids (ie “multi-generational testing”) could provide data on potential adaptation of a parasitoid to novel hosts. In particular, data on the „fitness‟ of T. semiluteus adults that successfully developed in S. aotearoana, including their length of survival, health and ability to parasitise hosts successfully, would have been useful. Multi-generational testing may have indicated if progeny reared in a non-target host were more likely to choose the same species as a host for subsequent oviposition.

The Committee considers that multi-generational testing of non-target hosts was not necessary in this case. As discussed below, habitat separation and absence of larval S. aotearoana during the winter serve to minimise the opportunity for T. semiluteus to behaviourally or genetically adapt so that S. aotearoana became an important host.

Life cycle restrictions

S. aotearoana has a reproductive diapause so that the larval stages suitable for parasitism by T. semiluteus are not present over winter. T. semiluteus would not, therefore, be able to form a self- sustaining population on S. aotearoana alone. The Committee considers that life cycle data on S. aotearoana supports the view that T. semiluteus would not be able to find suitable larval stages to parasitise throughout the year, as they would for H. haemorrhoidalis.

Sustained parasitism of S. aotearoana would have to result from repeated inoculation from parasitised H. haemorrhoidalis populations.

Habitat and geographic separation

In New Zealand H. haemorrhoidalis and S. aotearoana have no recorded host plants in common and are generally found in different habitats. H. haemorrhoidalis has been recorded throughout the North Island and to Nelson in the South Island, and is mostly restricted to open, modified landscapes on exotic plants such as fruit trees, garden shrubs and ornamental trees (refer to Annex 2). S. aotearoana is a forest species, which is recorded to feed on the seedlings of several native plants within the forest, including Hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre), Puka (Griselinia sp.) Porokaiwhiri (Hedycarya sp.), Kötukutuku (Fuschia excorticata) and Coprosma species.

Records of H. haemorrhoidalis from New Zealand native plants are restricted to Coriaria (tutu), which is a plant of disturbed sites and not usually a forest plant; and Meryta sinclairi (puka), a common ornamental plant originating from the Three Kings and Hen and Chicken Islands.

It is noted that central and southern South Island populations of S. aotearoana occur outside the range of H. haemorrhoidalis. In the North Island, it is possible that habitat overlap could occur where host plants co-occur, such as the margins between native forests and orchards and within home gardens.

In order for forest populations of S. aotearoana to be significantly affected by T. semiluteus, the parasitoid would need to establish continuing populations in the forest. This could only arise if H. haemorrhoidalis became established in the forest, or there was repeated infestation of S. aotearoana. In the absence of a resident population of H. haemorrhoidalis, repeat infestations would

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 5 of 16 be limited to sporadic events such as adult T. semiluteus (which survive only three days) being blown into forests and coming into contact with S. aotearoana at a suitable life stage to parasitise. The likelihood of this occurring at a rate posing a significant risk to S. aotearoana is considered remote.

A resident forest population of H. haemorrhoidalis would require an adequate reservoir of host plants in the forest. Very few host plants of H. haemorrhoidalis occur within native forests. The two recorded native host plants of H. haemorrhoidalis are Coriaria arborea (tutu) and Meryta sinclairii (puka). The Committee considers that it is highly unlikely that a reservoir of host plants of H. haemorrhoidalis sufficient to sustain a continuing population of greenhouse thrips would be found within large areas of native forest.

The Committee therefore considers that major reservoirs of S. aotearoana in native forests would not be adversely affected by T. semiluteus parasitism. Non-target parasitism of S. aotearoana may occur where its host-range overlaps with H. haemorrhoidalis, with repeat infestations annually. The areas where the two species could co-habit are likely to be small in size and with small populations. It is also noted that populations of non-target species in habitats adjacent to orchards may currently be subjected to greater adverse impacts from broad-spectrum insecticides than would be the case from low-levels of T. semiluteus parasitism. Potential Effects

The Committee has categorised potential adverse and beneficial effects of this application into environmental, human health, cultural and economic effects.

Benefits associated with the release of T. semiluteus are considered to be dependent on the parasitoid establishing and exerting control over H. haemorrhoidalis. The Committee considers that it is likely the parasitoid would establish and likely that a degree of biological control of H. haemorrhoidalis would occur, based on results of T. semiluteus biological programmes overseas (California, Hawaii, Japan and Israel) and laboratory tests. It is considered that efficacy of T. semiluteus against H. haemorrhoidalis would be likely to continue in the long term.

The estimates of benefit are considered to be only approximate, because the potential efficacy of the parasitoid in New Zealand is unknown, and because it is difficult to calculate the total present and future damage to fruit attributable to greenhouse thrips. However, if the parasitoid did not establish, the Committee considers that the release would have neither adverse nor positive effects, and that costs would accrue only to the applicant.

Environmental Effects

The Committee has considered potential adverse and beneficial environmental effects of releasing T. semiluteus on flora, fauna and ecosystem integrity.

Adverse environmental effects

The potential adverse impacts on the endemic thrips, S. aotearoana (Ward), were identified as a primary concern. As discussed above, the Committee considers that significant non-target adverse effects on S. aotearoana populations by T. semiluteus are very unlikely in the field, based on host-range test results, analysis of literature, information on known host range of T. semiluteus overseas, and existing knowledge of the life cycle and ecology of S. aotearoana in New Zealand.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 6 of 16 The Committee recognises that submitters have raised concerns about additional non-target effects. Given the incomplete state of knowledge of the insect fauna in New Zealand, a concern that naturally arises from this application is the possible existence of undiscovered and/or undescribed species of Panchaetothripinae in addition to S. aotearoana. A discussion (24 March 2000) of the External Scientific Reviewer of the application with Annette Walker, recently retired expert from the British Museum, has been reassuring on this. She considers it very unlikely that more native species within this subfamily will be discovered, based on the very thorough nature of the collecting that she and Lawrence Mound undertook in preparation for their taxonomic revision (Mound and Walker 19823), and the exhaustive examination by these authors of material which existed at the time in New Zealand collections.

The Committee also recognises that submitters have raised concerns about indirect environmental effects of releasing T. semiluteus. The Committee notes that:

It is very unlikely that T. semiluteus could become a vector of insect-borne animal or plant pathogens, other than passively as it moves around in the environment, possibly picking up fungal spores etc, in the way that all similar insects might do. It is very unlikely that T. semiluteus would interbreed with other insect species in New Zealand, given there are no other species of Thripobius recorded to be present in New Zealand, and that T. semiluteus is parthenogenetic. It is very unlikely that T. semiluteus would compete with or displace native natural enemies of insects (including parasitoids and predators). There are no records that H. haemorrhoidalis is attacked by specialist natural enemies in New Zealand. Although generalist predators, such as solitary wasps in the genus Spilomena, may occasionally attack H. haemorrhoidalis, it is not considered that a generalist native insect would be dependent on H. haemorrhoidalis for population survival. No records of native parasitoids of S. aotearoana have been found. It is considered that non-target parasitism is very unlikely at a level where a reduction in population size of the non-target host would occur, and that displacement of any native parasitoid is equally unlikely. Landcare Research raised a concern that T. semiluteus may parasitise the gorse thrips, Sericothrips staphylinus (sub family Thripinae), which is a biological control agent of gorse, Ulex europaeus, in New Zealand. The host-range of T. semiluteus is recorded to be restricted to the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. It is considered very unlikely that S. staphylinus would be adversely affected by T. semiluteus. However, future biological control programmes that might involve the introduction of a thrips species for weed control should consider the potential for parasitism by T. semiluteus if it is released and establishes. There is no evidence to suggest that T. semiluteus could contribute to deterioration of natural ecosystems. H. haemorrhoidalis and other thrips in the Panchaetothripinae are phytophagous (ie herbivorous), therefore reduction in their populations is unlikely to threaten plant survival directly (and therefore the survival of any other insects, birds etc. that depend upon those plants).

3 Mound, LA and Walker AK 1982. Terebrantia (Insecta: Thysanoptera). Fauna of New Zealand (1). Science and Information Division, DSIR, Wellington.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 7 of 16 The Committee acknowledges that it is impossible to predict the rate of evolution of host range for biological control agents in the long-term. The coincidence in the environment of new behaviours, suitable physiological compatibility, and establishment of new genetic traits within a parasitoid population would be important in determining host range extension. As parthenogenetic reproduction would preclude genetic recombination, the development of new genotypes would be very unlikely. Host range extension would therefore be more likely to include species that are closely related to existing hosts, and occur in the same habitat. However, the Committee considers it is very unlikely that any native thrips would be at risk in the long term due to habitat, life cycle, and taxonomic separation from Panchaetothripinae.

Beneficial environmental effects

The Committee considers that a significant environmental risk to local biodiversity, including populations of beneficial insects, arises from the particular insecticide used to control greenhouse thrips (broad-spectrum organophosphate) and patterns of its use (several sprays each season).

The Committee considers that, as long as the parasitoid exerts some degree of control over H. haemorrhoidalis, reduced insecticide use is likely to result in reduced environmental pollution including harmful soil residues, and reduced adverse effects on non-target organisms including native and valued insects inhabiting modified environments.

The Committee notes that the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation and Lincoln University identified benefits to the environment from reduced chemical sprays in their submissions. The Ngatiwai Trust Board and Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu also acknowledged these potential benefits.

Human Health Effects

The Committee has considered potential beneficial and adverse effects of releasing T. semiluteus on human health. The Committee considers that, as long as the parasitoid exerts some degree of control over H. haemorrhoidalis, there will be benefits to human health arising from reduced organophosphate insecticide use. Reduced insecticide use is likely to result in reduced pesticide residues on citrus and avocado fruit for consumption, reduced exposure of spray operators, orchard workers and bystanders to insecticides, and reduced spray-drift from orchards.

The Committee notes that it is extremely unlikely that T. semiluteus could represent a threat to human health, either directly by attacking, biting or stinging, or indirectly by forming swarms of nuisance value or acting as a vector of human pathogens.

Cultural Effects

The Committee considered potential effects associated with releasing T. semiluteus on the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions, with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga (section 6(d) of the HSNO Act). In doing so, potential adverse impacts on non-target species and particularly indigenous flora and fauna, were identified as a primary concerns. No separate or distinct cultural or spiritual concerns were raised (ie outside the concerns about environmental impacts).

The Committee considers that the applicants‟ consultation on this application has been as extensive as could be reasonably expected. The applicants sent out letters to 37 iwi groups and received back eight responses. Of the responses, three opposed, three did not oppose and two

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 8 of 16 requested further information. In addition, public submissions were received from Ngatiwai Trust Board and Te Rünanga o Ngāi Tahu. The Ngatiwai Trust Board commented in their submission that:

“While the Unit endorses the use of biocontrol instead of pesticides we do not support the introduction of any exotic species that potentially could become an environmental problem in the future.”

Ngāi Tahu commented in their submission that:

“New Zealand has a unique and precious environment with a much vaster array of indigenous plants, insects, and animals than possibly any other country in the world. This uniqueness has suffered a great deal of damage in the past through introduced species…Ngāi Tahu wish the Authority to take a conservative approach to this matter and not consider it in isolation”.

In a letter to the applicant, Ngāi Tahu commented that:

“Given that the thrip to be introduced lives in tropical and sub-tropical areas; the unlikelihood of switching to a new host species; the habitats separation; and the unavailability all year of the native thrip, we now consider that the risk to the native thrip is not of concern.”

The Committee has taken into account the views of Ngā Kaihautü Tikanga Taiao, which stated in its report to the Authority that “the native species Sigmothrips aotearoana, as a taonga under Article two of the Treaty of Waitangi and under Section 6.d of the HSNO Act, must be protected” and that “Ngā Kaihautü Tikanga Taiao recommends that the release of the new insect parasitoid Thripobius semiluteus for biological control of greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis as proposed does not occur.”

Although all Māori would be concerned about significant adverse effects to native and valued species, the Committee considers that significant non-target parasitism of S. aotearoana and adverse effects on other flora and fauna by T. semiluteus are very unlikely in the field. The Committee therefore considers there would be no significant adverse effects to the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga from the release of T. semiluteus.

The Committee recognises there is a lack of awareness about biological control in general among Māori, and endorses the applicants‟ intention for a biocontrol education programme for Māori. HortResearch, on behalf of the applicants, has noted that discussions have been initiated with the New Zealand Māori Council to this end. HortResearch has stated a commitment to develop an education package regardless of the outcome of this application.

The Committee also recognises that HortResearch, on behalf of the applicants, intends to conduct post-release monitoring of environmental effects, including non-target parasitism, as part of their proposed release programme. Post-release monitoring is also important should the release fail, as it will be valuable to understand and record the scientific reasons for this outcome. While the Committee cannot attach post-release controls to the release of a new organism, it endorses the applicants‟ intention to follow through with monitoring and make these results available to iwi.

Economic Costs & Benefits

The Committee has considered potential effects of releasing T. semiluteus on the economy; in particular the horticulture sector. It is noted that H. haemorrhoidalis is a major pest of commercial citrus and avocado orchards and is currently controlled by broad-spectrum organophosphate

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 9 of 16 insecticides, as there are no effective „soft‟ sprays or biological control agents available in New Zealand. The need to use broad-spectrum sprays to control H. haemorrhoidalis is also a constraint to increased organic production of these crops.

For the avocado industry, greenhouse thrips is the only significant source of thrips damage. For the New Zealand citrus industry, the applicant estimates that 50% of thrips damage is caused by H. haemorrhoidalis and 50% is caused by Pezothrips kellyanus. Early season spraying is used to control P. kellyanus as it is present in flowers and small fruit. Greenhouse thrips causes damage to larger fruit later in the season. Timing of control measures for the two thrips is quite different, so biological control of greenhouse thrips would result in spray reductions for the greater part of the season. The Committee notes that, even at its most successful, biological control of greenhouse thrips cannot, by itself, eliminate use of organophosphate insecticides in the citrus sector.

The Committee considered the monetary cost-benefit analysis developed by ERMA New Zealand, showing a positive net present value across a range of nine scenarios over a 20-year time horizon. The scenarios are developed from three levels of costs and losses attributable to greenhouse thrips, and three levels of efficacy of greenhouse thrips control by T. semiluteus. While recognising the uncertainty attaching to the actual figures, and noting the underlying assumptions, the Committee is satisfied that the monetary benefits substantially outweigh the monetary costs even under conditions of low efficacy and low costs and losses.

The Committee considers that, as long as the parasitoid exerts some degree of control over H. haemorrhoidalis, direct monetary benefits from the introduction of T. semiluteus to the avocado and citrus industries would be expected from:

Reduced insecticide costs Reduced losses due to fruit damage. In the avocado industry, it is expected that a smaller proportion of trays would be downgraded from export grade to local market grade. In the citrus industry, it is expected that the proportions of the crop downgraded from export grade to local market grade, and downgraded from export grade to juice grade, would both fall.

Other economic benefits include:

Enhanced effectiveness of IPM programmes for citrus and avocado crops. Organophosphates that are currently used to control greenhouse thrips, damage beneficial insects that form part of the IPM approach. Reduced pesticide residues in fruit. The growing demand in export markets for fruit free of pesticide residues means that such fruit could be expected to sell for higher prices. Reduced greenhouse thrips damage to other plants, including winegrapes, kiwifruit, pipfruit, stonefruit, and ornamentals. A viable option to control greenhouse thrips for organic growers. Reduced likelihood of greenhouse thrips developing resistance to existing broad- spectrum sprays.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 10 of 16 The Committee notes that the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation, Lincoln University and MAF identified industry benefits from reduced chemical sprays in their submissions. Te Rünanga o Ngāi Tahu also acknowledged this potential benefit.

The Committee considers that there is a persuasive economic case for the introduction of T. semiluteus. Monetary benefits from this biological control programme would be expected to accrue primarily to growers and other parties directly involved with the citrus and avocado industries. Minimum standards

The Committee considered the minimum standards in section 36 of the HSNO Act, and is satisfied that release of T. semiluteus would not fail to satisfy these standards.

In particular, potential parasitism of S. aotearoana is considered very unlikely to cause significant displacement of this species, or its native parasitoids, within their natural habitat. It is also very unlikely that T. semiluteus will interbreed with any native species and adversely affect New Zealand‟s inherent genetic diversity because there are no other species of Thripobius in New Zealand, and the parasitoid is parthenogenetic. Significant deterioration of natural habitats could arise if T. semiluteus parasitised a non-target thrips that played a key role in keeping a weed or invasive plant species under control. No evidence of native thrips playing such a role in natural environments has been found. The exotic thrips, Sericothrips staphylinus, has been released to control gorse, however it is not in the Panchaetothripinae, the subfamily within which T. semiluteus is recorded to be restricted. Overall evaluation of risks, costs and benefits and conclusions

1. Pursuant to section 38(1) of the HSNO Act, the Committee is satisfied that this application is for one of the purposes specified in section 34 of the Act, being section 34(1)(a): To import for release any new organism.

2. The Committee is satisfied that the application should not be declined under the minimum standards specified under section 36 of the HSNO Act.

3. In relation to the additional matters to be considered under section 37 of the HSNO Act, the Committee notes that the purpose of the release of T. semiluteus is to establish a self- sustaining population. Establishment of a self-sustaining population would be desirable and irreversible in nature.

4. The Committee is satisfied that regard has been given to matters specified under Part II of the HSNO Act in the consideration of this application.

5. Having considered all the possible effects of the organism (and any inseparable organism), in accordance with section 38 of the HSNO Act, the Committee considers that the potential positive effects of releasing T. semiluteus outweigh the potential adverse effects. In forming this conclusion, the Committee notes that:

It is very unlikely that a parasitoid other than T. semiluteus would be released due to incorrect identification, as taxonomic identification by a recognised specialist will be conducted during the first generation the parasitoid is held in quarantine containment.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 11 of 16 Importation and release of inseparable organisms is very unlikely. Individual T. semiluteus will be sourced from a commercial insectary in California and imported into quarantine in New Zealand. The quarantine facility will be approved under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.02.08 for Transitional and Containment Facilities for Invertebrates, managed in accordance with an Import Health Standard issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The Import Health Standard will specify a period during which T. semiluteus will be reared in quarantine to ensure that no hyperparasites or pathogens are present. The applicant also has a strong self-interest in avoiding release of hyperparasites or pathogens of T. semiluteus as this could adversely affect the success of the biological control programme. There is no evidence to suggest that T. semiluteus could become a vector of insect-borne human, animal or plant pathogens, other than passively as it moves around in the environment, possibly picking up fungal spores etc., in the way that all similar insects might do. Reduced use of broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticides in the citrus and avocado spray programmes is likely to result in health and environmental benefits. Human health benefits would eventuate through reduction of pesticide residues on citrus and avocado, reduced exposure of spray operators, orchard workers and bystanders to insecticides, and reduced spray-drift from orchards. Environmental benefits would result from a reduction in adverse effects on non-target species, primarily in modified environments. This will enhance local biodiversity, including beneficial insects (eg other biological control agents) that are adversely affected by insecticides in citrus and avocado orchards. The primary environmental concern was the potential adverse impact on the endemic thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana. Based on host-range test results, analysis of literature, information on known host range of T. semiluteus overseas, and existing knowledge of the life cycle and ecology of S. aotearoana in New Zealand, significant non-target parasitism of S. aotearoana by T. semiluteus is very unlikely in the field. No other significant adverse environmental effects are considered likely. The risks to the relationship between Mäori and their taonga relate primarily to potential adverse impacts on non-target species and particularly indigenous flora and fauna. However, no significant adverse environmental effects are likely. No separate or distinct cultural or spiritual concerns have been identified. Benefits associated with the release of T. semiluteus are dependent on the parasitoid establishing and exerting control over H. haemorrhoidalis. From evidence provided by the applicants regarding T. semiluteus biological control programmes overseas and host- specificity tests in containment, it is likely the parasitoid will establish and that a degree of biological control of H. haemorrhoidalis is likely. Efficacy against H. haemorrhoidalis is likely to continue in the long term. There is a persuasive economic case for the introduction of T. semiluteus for biological control of H. haemorrhoidalis. Monetary benefits will accrue primarily to the citrus and avocado industries. Benefits include reduced insecticide costs, reduced fruit damage, enhanced effectiveness of IPM programmes, opportunities to expand organic production, and opportunities to maintain and expand access to high-value premium export markets. The benefits are likely to substantially exceed financial costs.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 12 of 16 The application to import for release the new organism, Thripobius semiluteus Boucek (1976) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is thus approved.

The approval to import for release T. semiluteus is granted without controls.

The approval to import for release T. semiluteus shall lapse five years after the date of the approval, unless the organism is sooner released, or the Authority, following an application by any person before the expiry of the time limit, extends the time limit for a further period of up to five years.

Every person who releases T. semiluteus in accordance with this approval within five years after the date of the approval shall, unless the requirement is waived by the Authority, notify the Authority within one month after the date of release.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 13 of 16

Annex 1 List of submitters on Application NOR99002

No. Name Organisation Position Address Request to be heard 1 Ngatiwai Trust Board Hori Parata Resource Management PO Box 1332 WHANGAREI No Unit Convenor 2 Department of Clare Miller New Organisms Officer PO Box 10 WELLINGTON Yes Conservation 420 3 New Zealand Peter Silcock Chief Executive PO Box 2175 WELLINGTON No Fruitgrowers Federation 4 Lincoln University Drs R M Emberson Senior Lecturer in PO Box 84 Lincoln CANTERBURY No and R R Scott Entomology and University Groups Leader, Ecology & Entomology Group 5 Te Rünanga o Ngäi Linda Constable Natural Resources Office of Te PO Box 13046 CHRISTCHURCH No Tahu Manager Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu 6 Royal Forest & Bird Kevin Smith Conservation Director PO Box 631 WELLINGTON Yes Protection Society of New Zealand Inc 7 Ministry of Agriculture Suzanne Main Policy Adviser PO Box 2526 WELLINGTON No and Forestry Biosecurity Authority 8 Landcare Research Dr Peter McGregor Insect Ecologist PO Box 11 PALMERSTON No 052 NORTH

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 14 of 16

Annex 2 Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis plant host range worldwide

Froud, K. J. 1997 Host preference testing and developmental biology of Thripobius semiluteus: a potential biological control agent for greenhouse thrips. MSc thesis, University of Auckland.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 15 of 16

Spiller, D.M. and Wise, K.A.J. 1982 A Catalogue (1860-1960) of New Zealand insects and their host plants. D.S.I.R. Bulletin 231, Science Information Division, D.S.I.R., Wellington.

Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: Application NOR99002 Page 16 of 16