APP201955: an Application to Release Tamarixia Triozae As a Biological Control for the Tomato Potato Psyllid (Bactericera Cockerelli)
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Staff Assessment Report APP201955: An application to release Tamarixia triozae as a biological control for the tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) April 2016 Purpose To release from containment the psyllid parasitoid Tamarixia triozae into New Zealand to assist with the biological control of the tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) Application number APP201955 Application type Notified, full release Applicant Horticulture New Zealand Inc. Date formally received 27 January 2016 2 EPA advice for application APP201955 Executive Summary and Recommendation In January 2015, Horticulture New Zealand Inc. applied to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to introduce the psyllid parasitoid Tamarixia triozae as a biological control agent (BCA) for the tomato potato psyllid (TPP; Bactericera cockerelli). The application was submitted on behalf of Potatoes New Zealand Inc., Tomatoes NZ Inc., Heinz-Wattie’s NZ Ltd, Vegetables NZ Inc., and NZ Tamarillo Growers Association Inc. We examined the efficacy of T. triozae to control TPP and curb transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, the causal agent of Zebra Chip disease, to horticulture crop plants, and the beneficial and adverse effects on the environment, market economy and on Māori and their relationship to the environment. Our assessment found that we consider it likely that the release of T. triozae will improve management of TPP which will support development of new integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. We consider it likely that IPM programmes will reduce applications of broad-spectrum insecticides which will improve the environmental impact of horticulture practices. We also consider the use of T. triozae will benefit Māori who use traditional (organic) pest control methods to cultivate taewa, kūmara and poroporo. We consider reductions in costs to control TPP and Zebra Chip and improvements in yield and crop quality as a result of improved management of TPP to be important to future proof New Zealand’s horticulture industry. We considered the information presented in the application strongly suggests that there is likely to be benefits to the market economy from the release of T. triozae. The applicant considered that the most significant adverse effects of releasing T. triozae are the risks of the parasitoid attacking and parasitizing native psyllids. The applicant presented evidence from host range testing which showed that two native psyllids in the same family as TPP are susceptible to attack. We consider the results to reveal that Trioza panacis is within the physiological host range of T. triozae, however, first–generation development tests showed that parasitoid offspring fitness is compromised by using T. panacis as a host. We argue that this is a low rank host which will not support successive generations of T. triozae. We considered the mortality rate of the other impacted psyllid, T. curta, in the tests. We consider that mortality at the level predicted should be viewed in light of the test conditions and field conditions that T. triozae will encounter, as well as population dynamics of the psyllid in its natural habitat governed by its food plant preferences. We consider that T. triozae will not actively seek out non-target native psyllids anywhere in New Zealand since the parasitoid uses a number of cues to locate TPP. TPP and native psyllids do not share the same host plants and therefore are not commonly found in the same habitat. This creates environmental refuges for native psyllids who are predominantly found in native unmodified habitats away from intensively manged habitats. We note that despite the potential for T. triozae to encounter non-target psyllids in environments that border horticulture crops it is unlikely for the parasitoid to have significant adverse effects on native psyllids. April 2016 3 EPA advice for application APP201955 After completing our risk assessment and reviewing available information, we consider that the cumulative adverse effects of releasing T. triozae to control TPP are negligible and the cumulative benefits significant. We consider that T. triozae meets the minimum standards as stated in the HSNO Act. We recommend that the application be approved. April 2016 4 EPA advice for application APP201955 Table of Contents Executive Summary and Recommendation ........................................................................................ 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 4 1. Purpose of this document .......................................................................................................... 6 2. Application process .................................................................................................................... 6 3. Submissions ................................................................................................................................ 6 4. Submissions from DOC and MPI ............................................................................................... 7 5. Background on the target pest - TPP ........................................................................................ 8 Tomato potato psyllid and the pathogen it vectors are serious threats to plants of economic value in the solanaceous family .................................................................................................... 8 6. Description of organism proposed to be introduced ............................................................ 12 7. Risk assessment assumptions ................................................................................................ 14 8. Assessment of the potential benefits and positive effects of introducing T. triozae ........ 15 Potential beneficial effects of T. triozae through reducing TPP pressure ................................... 15 Potential benefits to New Zealand’s market economy by releasing T. triozae and reducing the effects of TPP and Zebra Chip .................................................................................................... 19 9. Assessment of the potential risks and costs associated with the introduction of T. triozae ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Understanding the host range of T. triozae ................................................................................. 24 Our assessment of the potential risks and costs to native and beneficial psyllids from the release of T. triozae ..................................................................................................................... 32 10. Our assessment of the potential indirect adverse effects on ecosystem functions such as food webs .............................................................................................................................. 35 TPP as a shared resource ........................................................................................................... 35 Hyperparasitism of T. triozae and the effects of ‘apparent competition’ ..................................... 35 Tamarixia triozae as a vector or source of disease ..................................................................... 37 Potential for hybridisation ............................................................................................................ 37 Our conclusion of the potential indirect adverse effects.............................................................. 37 11. Conclusion on benefits and risks assessment ...................................................................... 38 12. Relationship of Māori to the environment .............................................................................. 39 13. Minimum Standards .................................................................................................................. 45 Consideration of whether T. troizae is likely to cause any significant displacement of any native species within its natural habitat .................................................................................................. 45 Consideration of whether T. triozae is likely to cause any significant deterioration of natural habitats ........................................................................................................................................ 46 April 2016 5 EPA advice for application APP201955 Consideration of whether T. triozae is likely to cause any significant adverse effects on human health and safety ......................................................................................................................... 46 Consideration of whether T. triozae is likely to cause any significant adverse effect to New Zealand’s inherent genetic diversity ............................................................................................ 46 Consideration of whether T. triozae is likely to cause disease, be parasitic, or become a vector for human, animal or plant disease ............................................................................................. 47 Conclusion on the minimum standards ....................................................................................... 47 14. Recommendation ...................................................................................................................... 47 15. References ................................................................................................................................