Pest watch: 4 June – 10 August 2015

Biosecurity is about managing risks: protecting New Zealand from exotic pests and diseases that could harm our natural resources and primary industries. MPI’s Investigation & Diagnostic Centres and Response (IDC & R) directorate devotes much of its time to ensuring that new organism records come to its attention, and to following up as appropriate. This information was collected from 4 June 2015 to 10 August 2015. The plant information is held in the MPI Plant Pest Information Network (PPIN) database. Wherever possible, common names have been included. Records in this format were previously published in the now discontinued magazine Biosecurity. To report suspect new pests and diseases to MPI phone 0800 80 99 66.

Validated new to New Zealand reports Type Organism Host Location Submitted by Comments First record of this organism in New Zealand. Erroneously Musa sp. IDC & R Ceratocystis musarum recorded previously as banana Northland (General Surveillance) no common name present in NZ following interception at the border in 1962. Allium sativum IDC & R Penicillium allii Causes stunted plant growth, Fungus garlic Wanganui (General Surveillance) no common name and decay of stored garlic.

Sequoia sempervirens IDC & R Pestalotiopsis chamaeropis This fungus has only recently Fungus Californian coastal redwood Waikato (General Surveillance) no common name been described, in 2014.

Described in 2014. No Sequoia sempervirens IDC & R information available on host Phaeosphaeria podocarpi Fungus Californian coastal redwood Waikato (General Surveillance) range or habitat. Potential no common name effects on redwood trees are unknown. Cucurbita maxima Plectosphaerella melonis IDC & R A soil-borne pathogen that Fungus squash Hawke's Bay no common name (General Surveillance) enters through the roots.

Phytopythium litorale Scion A record that dates back Fungus Rhododendron sp. Bay of Plenty no common name (High Risk Site Survey) to 2010 S. Thorpe (General Observed flying around pusio chicken dung N/A. Auckland Surveillance) floweringOlearia bushes.

If you have any enquiries regarding this information please contact [email protected]

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