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Plant Health Surveillance and Incursion Investigation Report: July to September 2019

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Plant Health Surveillance and Incursion Investigation Report: July to September 2019 PLANTS AND ENVIRONMENT Plant health surveillance and incursion investigation report: July to September 2019 The Ministry for Primary Industries (139) in this quarter increased compared subscribers. It was suspected that one (MPI) Incursion Investigation team with 2018 (125). However, in both Facebook user had illegally imported and Plant Health and Environment quarters, 48 investigations required the plant in 2018 and the plant was Laboratory (PHEL) investigate and urgent measures to contain and manage likely still in her possession. Facebook diagnose suspect exotic pests and the biological risk. updates showed the user attempting diseases in the plant and environment to revive the plant in a bowl of water, sectors. Incursion Investigators and Investigations referred even though others in the forum had scientists are based in Auckland, to Compliance Services told her that the plant was a prohibited Wellington, Rotorua and Christchurch. import. An investigation was undertaken These teams provide field investigation, Directorate alongside MPI’s Compliance Team and diagnostic testing and technical One of the primary functions of the a search warrant to enter the residence expertise to detect and report new pest Compliance Services Directorate is was gained. Two suspect Rose of Jericho and diseases affecting plants and the the investigation of potential breaches plants were seized, plus several fragments environment. They support surveillance of MPI legislation. Many of these in water, and 29 packets of unauthorised and response functions, including potential breaches are identified by seeds were seized. All were sent to PHEL carrying out research and development other groups within MPI, including for identification. Selaginella lepidophylla, for better diagnostic tools and processes the Incursion Investigation Team. The a suspect new to New Zealand organism, to manage biosecurity risks. investigators provide a referral to this was identified, along with a wide team whenever they identify a potential variety of seed including some subject The third quarter of the 2019 year saw breach of legislation that requires a more to very strict biosecurity requirements: a 25 percent increase in notifications comprehensive investigation and may Citrus sp., Vitis sp., and Prunus sp. Other compared with the same quarter in 2018 result in a prosecution. seeds included Rosa sp., Amaranthus sp., (Figure 1). Of the 251 notifications, Descurainia sp., Cucumis sp., Echinacea investigators immediately stood Rose of Jericho plants purpurea, Carica papaya, Acacia sp., down 102 cases because the presence discussed on social media Oxalis sp., Setaria italica and Lupinus sp. of biological risk was ruled out; in Rose of Jericho, Selaginella lepidophylla The seeds were destroyed and the owner comparison, 61 were stood down in the (Selaginellales: Selaginellaceae) plants was issued with a formal warning letter same period last year. The number of were discussed by a group of Facebook from MPI Compliance. cases that required further investigation Figure 1: Plant health notifications, investigations and other outcomes, July–September 2018 and 2019 Surveillance 46 (4) 2019 27 Positive; referred from MPI without the specimen the identification company ready to load for export. Urgent was inconclusive. measures for preventing establishment responsibility were implemented, depending on the A dead stink bug was found inside a Suspect Salvinia natans for case, and included site inspection and medicine cabinet purchased on Trademe. heat or methyl bromide treatment. Ant sale on Trademe The specimen was submitted to PHEL species and localities were added to the Freshwater ferns not known to be and identified as a female BMSB. 2020 National Invasive Ant Surveillance present in New Zealand were offered Dead stink bugs are not considered a programme (NIAS) for monitoring for sale on Trademe, identified by the biosecurity risk but an investigation during summer. seller as Salvinia natans. A detailed sales was opened to trace the pathway of history, including contact details of both the product into New Zealand and Four other investigations were negative seller and buyers, was obtained by the communicate with all parties involved, for exotic ant species. Three of these MPI intelligence team. An investigator from the exporter to the end user. were identified as already established in purchased a plant from the Trademe The cabinet had been imported from New Zealand (Technomyrmex jocosus, listing for identification by PHEL. After China along with other furniture. A Iridomyrmex suchieri and Ochetellus consultation with two external experts, fumigation certificate accompanying glaber) and one case was closed as the plant was confirmed as Kariba weed, the consignment stated the goods were inconclusive, as no photo or specimen S. x molesta (Salviniales: Salvinaceae), treated with methyl bromide at 80g/ was provided by the notifier. an unwanted and notifiable organism. m3 prior to shipping. Upon arrival in Kariba weed forms extensive floating New Zealand the furniture was stored in Exotic plants and seeds mats that can double in size within Auckland. MPI fact sheets on BMSB were Of the 23 investigations of plants and 10 days, smothering waterways and sent to the importer, the storage facility seeds only three were inconclusive, owing affecting water quality. The weed mats operator and the Chinese exporter to to difficulties in identifying the seeds, kill off native plants, attract breeding distribute among their staff. incomplete information or circumstances mosquitoes, block dams and irrigation preventing determination of a biosecurity systems and remove oxygen from the Exotic spiders issue. In any case, the risk was mitigated water. Furthermore, by obscuring a water There were 13 investigations into by destruction of the seeds by the body with its green covering, Kariba suspected exotic spiders (or webbings) notifier or MPI staff. Illegal or incidental weed creates a drowning risk for humans associated with imported vehicles, seed importation continues to create a and animals. As S. x molesta is one of grapes and a wooden toy: six red-back significant workload for the investigators. the species managed by the National spiders, Latrodectus hasseltii (Araneae: E-commerce (via Wish, VOVA, Interest Pest Response programme, the Theridiidae), one brown widow spider, AliExpress) was the most common way case was referred to MPI’s Long Term Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: of importing seeds. Often customers Management Team to follow up. Theridiidae) and one black widow spider, placed their online orders thinking the Latrodectus sp. The remaining five spiders seeds or plants would be sourced from were either dead or were identified as Investigation positive; New Zealand-suppliers, but on arrival, established in New Zealand. Urgent establishment prevented seed packages proved to be posted from measures were undertaken to prevent overseas. Five investigations were of through urgent measures establishment, including an area search, plants or seeds on sale from New Zealand These investigations found organisms fumigation and insecticide applications. providers (via Trademe). All seeds non- that were not known to be present in MPI Quarantine Officers (QOs) often compliant with relevant MPI import New Zealand, under circumstances assist with inspections, and provide health standards (IHSs) were sent for that enabled treatments to be applied specimens to PHEL for identification. destruction in quarantine waste. Online and biosecurity mitigation confirmed. Other spiders found and notified to retailers have been reported to the MPI They typically involved imported goods MPI included Badumna sp. (Araneae: Intelligence & Targeting Team to monitor and containers. Desidae) and the Natal daddy-long- repeat offending. Brown marmorated stink bug legs, Smeringopus natalensis (Araneae: Pholcidae). The MPI Facilities and There were other notable investigations (BMSB) cases Pathways Team is advised of any non- of exotic plants that posed potential There were 17 investigations of compliance by importers. biosecurity risks. A commercial nursery suspected BMSB, Halyomorpha halys reported finding a suspect exotic weed (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Two were Exotic ant detections growing in plant pots. Plants submitted positive for dead BMSB, three other In this quarter, four exotic ant species of to PHEL and Auckland War Memorial insects were identified as yellow spotted ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were Museum were validated as Egyptian stink bug (YSSB), Erthesina fullo reported via the MPI pest and disease grass, Dactyloctenium aegyptium (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and 11 of hotline: Trichomyrmex destructor in (Poales: Gramineae). The weeds were the investigations involved stink bugs cartons of plastic tubing from Singapore, recovered from pots containing cabbage already present in New Zealand: green Tapinoma melanocephalum in raw sugar trees Cordyline australis (Asparagales: vegetable bug, Nezara viridula (9) and cane and nut oils from Fiji, Camponotus Asparagaceae) and oioi, Apodasmia brown soldier bug, Cermatulus nasalis modoc in sawn timber from Canada, similis (Poales: Restionaceae) that (2). Another suspect BMSB was ruled out Camponotus conspicuous in an empty had been planted in November and by PHEL entomologists from photos, but sea container received by a Waitara December 2018. This period coincided 28 Surveillance 46 (4) 2019 with the peak potting season, when Ten overseas students arrived in this
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