Exotic plant and environment investigations report: July to September 2017 Horticultural pests A photo of a suspect exotic fruit-piercing The Ministry for Primary Industries Incursion Investigation team found in the Nelson Hospital car and the Plant Health Environment Laboratory (PHEL) teams park in the city of Nelson was submitted investigate and diagnose suspect exotic pests and diseases in the to MPI entomologists. The moth was plant and environment sectors. Investigators and scientists are identified as a female materna based in Auckland and Christchurch. These teams provide field (fruit-piercing moth), which is native investigation, diagnostic testing and technical expertise on new to northern and usually pests and diseases affecting plants and the environment. They also migrates south during late winter. It have surveillance and response functions and carry out research has previously been intercepted in and development to support surveillance and incursion response New Zealand. The larvae of this moth activities. are host-specific and the host plants are not present in New Zealand. The larvae feed on snake vine () and roundleaf vine (Legnephora moorei) nor any previous borer-related issues. had previously been found in imported (synonyms of spp., family Additionally, no recent reports had been American ash flooring timber. In this ). There are no records received from members of the public instance no adult beetles were collected. of any of these names in the Plant who had purchased these boards. This The size of the borer exit holes was Biosecurity Index except on exotic report probably resulted from a single consistent with a Lyctus sp. Even though voucher specimens of Cocculus from consignment with a low-level infestation, the entire house had the same flooring, Rarotonga and China. Both species are which is not considered an ongoing only about 20 adult beetle exit holes had tropical in origin and are frost-sensitive. biosecurity risk. The immediate risk was been seen over a 3-month period since The very specific host range ofE. materna managed by destroying infested chopping the floor had been laid. The property larvae is considered to limit this species’ boards. Any ongoing risk will be owner had syringed insecticide into chances of successfully establishing. Staff managed by MPI’s normal requirements the holes as they became apparent. operating the High Risk Site Surveillance for imported goods. The importer had The flooring importer was unable to Programme have been advised to watch already discussed how to improve quality determine the specific consignment from in case the host plants appear in NZ. control with the Chinese supplier. which the timber had been sourced. However, examination of the current A TradeMe site listed a range of unusual Forest and timber pests American ash timber stock found no tree and shrub species for sale, including Borer holes and dust were seen in sign of borer, and no additional reports Pinus spp. considered not present in Chinese bamboo chopping boards on of borer had been received from other New Zealand. In all cases the scientific sale at a home merchandise retail store. customers who had bought the same name of the plants was stated, an The store’s head office advised that 2 685 timber. Overall, this information indication that the seller was acting chopping boards were held by 11 of suggested a low borer infestation in the responsibly and professionally. On the 43 stores in New Zealand. All these original imported consignment. The checking MPI’s Plant Biosecurity Index boards were examined and 31 were found insecticide applied to the exit holes likely (PBI), all four species (P. densiflora, to have signs of borer beetle. The most addressed any residual biosecurity risk P. hwangshanensis, P. armandii and heavily infested boards were sent to MPI and no further action was considered P. thunbergii) were listed as permitted and adult Dinoderus minutus were found necessary. imports subject to border inspection and in in them. None were found alive and provision of a phytosanitary certificate some had likely only recently emerged. Fruit fly from the country of export. Several Infested boards were double-bagged and An Australian visitor noticed maggots other plant species offered for sale were returned to the supplier and importer. on fresh mandarins provided as a snack chosen at random and similarly checked The remaining 1 482 boards held at the food while visiting the SkyCity casino against the PBI, and all were listed. This importer’s distribution centre were re- in Auckland. The visitor was a grower investigation concluded that there was no examined and one more was found to and exporter of table grapes in Western biosecurity risk. have signs of borer. Although D. minutus , familiar with fruit-fly maggots, is an exotic species absent from Borer emergence holes were noticed and phone discussions confirmed him to New Zealand, it is not considered a high in the newly laid floor of a house in be a highly credible notifier. Traceback risk. The distributor has been importing Wellington. The flooring was premium- revealed that the fruit had been imported bamboo chopping boards for about 10 grade ash timber imported from the from Australia. Remaining fruit held years and a review of the MPI database of US. Live borer (Lyctus planicollis/ by the supplier were examined and no imported goods found no irregularities cavicollis complex or L. brunneus, both sign of damage or fruit fly was found. associated with their importation, of which are present in New Zealand) No additional public reports were

Surveillance 44 (4) 2017 27 received of suspect fruit fly maggots in identification ruled out fruit fly and the Two live centipedes were found upon Australian mandarins. Although the specimen was identified as an Australian opening a package in a consignment of report was of maggots (not caterpillars) leafroller tachinid (Trigonospila statues from Vietnam. The centipedes and they were too small to be vinegar fly brevifacies). This species is present in were carefully destroyed and the (Drosophila spp.), it is considered most New Zealand and of no biosecurity risk. remaining packages and the pallet likely that the maggots were drosophilid were wrapped in plastic. The pallet and not tephritid fruit fly maggots. General biosecurity pests had something concealed in it that resembled an egg mass. The centipedes A single live fly suspected to be a and contaminants were identified asLithobius forficatus Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) An Auckland plastic manufacturing (garden centipede), a species present was found inside a compost container in company received a large moulding in New Zealand. Webbing was found a residential kitchen in Hamilton. Photos machine on a wooden pallet from a local but there were no eggs. Three of the specimen were requested and the dealer. The machine had been imported Armadillidium vulgare were also notifier was advised to keep the compost from Germany in a container. They found, a species of woodlouse present in container closed and double-bagged until noticed in the plastic surrounding New Zealand. further notice. A PHEL entomologist the pallet (2 dead, 1 alive). A photo confirmed that the specimen was emailed to MPI revealed a species of A caller noticed insect damage on not a Queensland fruit fly and was wood wasp that was identified asSirex bananas that she had purchased. The consistent with a local, naturalised juvencus, a regulated species. An MPI caller advised that no insects were found, species. Specimen submission for formal Quarantine Officer visited the site and only an aged exit hole. Imported bananas identification was not required. found that the container was free of are routinely treated on arrival in any wasps (dead or alive) or evidence New Zealand ports to mitigate potential Insect feeding damage was found on of habitation (nest). Only the one pallet biosecurity risks. The caller was advised feijoa fruit grown in the garden of had been shipped inside this container, to freeze the bananas as a precaution. a rental property. The notifier was but it was established that three other A sample was submitted and checked unfamiliar with guava moth, the larvae pieces of timber had been used as bracing by two entomologists, who found of which are a common pest of feijoas in inside the container,to keep the pallet no invertebrates. Auckland. The caller promised to search secure. These pieces were inspected by for guava moth images to confirm the A customer at a pharmacy in Rolleston, the Authorised Person on site at the pest was indeed guava moth and not fruit near Christchurch, found two small flies Transitional Facility. The pallet had an fly. When later contacted, he reported in a cosmetic pressed powder compact International Standards for Phytosanitary having discussed the issue with local manufactured in the US. The item was Measures Regulating Wood Packaging garden centre staff and had concluded completely sealed and the flies were stamp on it but one of the 10 boards the damage was caused by guava moth, visible through the packaging. The on the pallet showed signs of insect Coscinoptycha improbana. specimen was determined by the PHEL infestation (exit holes). The wasps found entomologist to be midges (Diptera: Small white insects that looked like fruit- were adjacent to these exit holes. The Chironomidae) but the species was not fly maggots were seen on the outside pallet was wrapped on site and fumigated identified. Chironomids are also known of feijoa fruit collected from a home to mitigate any biosecurity issue. as non-biting midges and are often garden. They were identified from photos A traveller returning from Bali found a confused with mosquitoes. as the immature stages of springtails small number of live ants in her suitcase. (Collembola), not fruit-fly maggots. The Shoes purchased from an online store via A sample was collected and sent to PHEL infested windfall fruit had been collected TradeMe were sent from a warehouse in Christchurch for identification. The from beneath the tree, where they likely the US. On arrival they had mud in the ants were identified asMonomorium became infested with these insects. treads and appeared to be secondhand. pharaonis, a species that is established in It was not clear whether the shoes A couple had found a suspected fruit New Zealand. No further ants were found might have been worn on a farm or in fly on their guava tree but had not been during inspection. a horticultural area. Mud and other able to catch or photograph it. However, After a shipment of new vehicles from organic material is considered a high they were sure it was not a Queensland Australia was inspected and released at risk as it may contain seeds, nematodes fruit fly as it looked more elongated and the Ports of Auckland a live huntsman and micro-organisms not present in streamlined and had black-and-yellow spider (Isopeda vilosa) was found New Zealand. The notifier was asked stripes on its abdomen. There was no crawling on a back window. A specimen to double-bag the shoes and dispose of association with recently imported was caught and submitted to PHEL them as a precaution. A message was goods or overseas travel. The notifier Tamaki, where the identification was sent to the retailer advising them to was able to catch a specimen a few days confirmed. This species is present in ensure that in future only clean footwear later and submitted it to PHEL. Interim New Zealand. would be sent.

28 Surveillance 44 (4) 2017 A live earwig was found associated Team of a bulldozer imported from New to New Zealand species with a dragon fruit imported from Dubai with much soil and gravel A new to New Zealand virus has Vietnam. As the earwig was discovered contamination. The bulldozer underwent been found in a fodder beet crop in on the fruit soon after purchase, it was a steam clean, was re-inspected at the Canterbury. Beet chlorosis virus considered possibly of overseas origin. Ports of Auckland and was subsequently (BChV) is a poleovirus in the same genus However, following submission to released. However, on arriving in as beet western yellow virus (BWYV), PHEL it was identified as the European New Plymouth it was found that an which is present in New Zealand. BChV earwig (Forficula auricularia), a long- old beehive was located in the engine is known to be transmitted in the wild by established species common throughout bay. SIIPH got Border Clearance in aphids only, and it is unclear whether it New Zealand and absent from Vietnam. New Plymouth to arrange treatment can be spread by using infected material and re-inspection of the bulldozer Live ants and eggs were found around to propagate subsequent generations. at an approved Transitional Facility the nozzle of a cask of wine purchased The sample was submitted to MPI by before release. from a Rotorua liquor store. At least six AsureQuality in Lincoln, who received small black ants 1–2 mm long were seen. Ants were noticed associated with a the plant from a Canterbury farmer. Specimens were identified by PHEL as replacement car door after the vehicle AsureQuality tested the plant for Ochetellus glaber (the black house ant), a had been returned from the panelbeaters. bacterial and fungal pathogens and species present in New Zealand. Investigation revealed the replacement detected none. MPI virologists identified door had been imported from Europe. BChV in the sample and suggested that A packet of strawberries purchased from The number of ants suggested an ant there could be multiple virus species a supermarket in Kaitaia had white eggs colony within the door cavity. Worker ant in the plant specimen, as symptoms on one fruit. The strawberries had been specimens were collected and identified appeared on the indicator plant but imported from Australia and undergone by PHEL as Argentine ant, Linepithelma BChV is not mechanically transmissible. irradiation treatment before shipment. humile, a species well established in The second virus identified from samples The eggs were non-viable and identified New Zealand. was beet mosaic virus (BtMV), which is as Spodoptera litura (the tropical army already present in NZ. The observations worm), a species already present in Suspect black widow spiders and other of an MPI diagnostician revealed that New Zealand. spiders were found in a de-vanned BtMV was more symptomatic than container of non-risk goods (timber, Insects were found inside a recently BChV and that the latter did not appear wood packing and steel) from Adelaide, de-vanned container at a South Island to have any visible symptoms in samples Australia. The container was at a cleaning distribution centre in Rolleston, that tested positive for co-infection. The facility and had been fumigated before near Christchurch. Specimens were biosecurity risk and economic effects the specimen was collected. Photos identified by PHEL asAhasverus advena of BChV are considered to be low and were sent but were not of high enough (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), the foreign not dissimilar to those of BWYV or resolution for positive identification. The grain beetle, a species established in BtMV. Integrated pest management poisonous Australian redback spider New Zealand. protocols for aphids are considered (Latrodectus hasseltii) is well established to be highly effective in controlling A Dunedin car dealer received a new in Adelaide. The genusLatrodectus the spread of BChV. Linked industry car that had come into the country via (widow spiders) is cosmopolitan but partners were informed of the find and of the Ports of Auckland. While grooming the notorious American black widow MPI’s decision to close the investigation the car, the service manager found ants spiders (L. mactans and L. hesperus) without further action. inside it. Despite repeated attempts, the are unknown in Australia. Specimens dealer could not provide quality photos were requested and sent to a specialist MPI was notified that the NatureWatch of the ants. However, from the pictures who believed they were the Australian website (naturewatch.org.nz) had provided the ants were still able to be redback. Although it was of the genus displayed photos of an odd eumenine identified asOchetellus glaber (the black Latrodectus this species was not a black wasp and nest, apparently from house ant). Specimens were requested to widow spider. Whangarei. The notifier advised that confirm the identification but were not it looked just like a single specimen A large live brown spider was found upon received as the dealer wanted to deliver he had found in Remuera, Auckland, opening a barrel of zinc wire imported the car to his customer and instead in 2014, and submitted at the time, from Finland. The notifier was advised decided to fumigate the car to mitigate but MPI was unable to confirm the to freeze the spider and to submit photos any biosecurity risk. identification. The notifier thought the for identification. A PHEL entomologist Whangarei specimen might have been an The Quarantine Officer based in identified the banded tunnel web spider isolated case until he saw the Whangarei New Plymouth notified Surveillance & (Hexathele hochstetteri), a species specimen in November 2016 and heard Incursion Investigation Plant Health endemic to New Zealand. another report from Kerikeri (although

Surveillance 44 (4) 2017 29 his identification was based on the Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) No hitchhiking pests were found and NatureWatch photo only). The notifier of Act 1996. Imports of Senecio spp. are tests for X. fastidiosa were negative. There the most recent report on NatureWatch regulated to prevent entry of the plant was no evidence to suggest that this was a (10 February 2017) provided a specimen pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa deliberately misleading declaration. from Whangarei but identification was from all countries in Europe, but the After consultation between internal difficult as the best key to the suspected Netherlands have a pest-free status MPI directorates and the hazardous genus dated from 1914, listed more than for this species. At the time of import substances and new organisms 120 species and had been published S. niveoaureus was not covered by an adviser it was agreed to approach the in Latin. The current status of this Import Health Standard (IHS) and could Environmental Protection Agency to record is an unidentified member of not be imported into New Zealand. initiate a process to deregulate the plant the family Eumenidae, probably the MPI has since introduced measures species, which may take several months same species that was reported in 2014 for X. fastidiosa in tissue cultures (as of to a few years. Owing to the fact that from Remuera (a new to NZ record), 1 June 2017). about 18 000 plants had already been sold and from Whangarei in 2016. Without throughout New Zealand, the nurseries S. niveoaureus Cuatrec is the currently further specimens the status of the record holding the remainder of the plants accepted name for this taxon. There are remains inconclusive. The biosecurity were allowed to resume selling them. no synonyms recorded for Senecio as issue was considered low to negligible The overseas supplier of the mislabelled it is a changing genus with numerous and the investigation was closed. plants was instructed by the importers synonyms at both the species and However, PHEL will continue trying to to ensure correct identification was genus level. There are no records of this identify the species. recorded in future on export documents. species being present in New Zealand, An Australian holidaymaker in Kerikeri, so it is probably a new organism under Plant diseases who happened to be a millipede the HSNO Act. Of the 22 000 plants One banana in a bunch purchased from taxonomist, noticed a mature female imported since the beginning of 2016, a supermarket in Whakatane was found millipede that he considered might the nursery had already sold about to have a black centre and red threads be a new to New Zealand species. The 16 000. The remaining 2 394 plants at in the flesh. The notifier suspected that female millipede was found between the source nursery were voluntarily this could be squirter disease, caused by Puketotara Stream and the Kerikeri Golf isolated and prohibited from sale by the the post-harvest pathogen Nigrospora Club in May 2017. Although unable nursery owner. Two other nurseries had sphaerica. This species is present in to conclusively identify it, the notifier 3 000–4 000 plants in stock. Among the New Zealand but not on bananas as thought it might be Solaenodolichopus three nurseries, 22 percent of the original New Zealand does not grow these pruvoti, a species that grows to about plants were accounted for (the rest commercially. The sample was too 30 mm long and is native to the Brisbane having been sold). Most plant material badly decayed on arrival at PHEL for area in Queensland. S. pruvoti has also had been sold by retail outlets up to any diagnostic work to be conducted. been introduced to (from 16 months before MPI was notified, so it No further action was warranted and as where it was first described) and is now was unlikely to be recoverable. N. sphaerica is not considered to pose found in Perth, Western Australia. An S. niveoaureus is a high-altitude (3 100– a biosecurity risk, the investigation earlier reported detection of S. pruvoti 4 600 m) herbaceous daisy (Asteraceae) was closed. (Johns, 1962) in New Zealand had been from Colombia and Ecuador and recorded in the literature under the old requires a cool climate. It forms clusters A commercial grower of kale and swede name Aulacoporus pruvoti. The renamed of rosettes with soft, densely hairy, bright observed symptoms similar to club root species may have arrived in New Zealand silvery white “rabbit ear” leaves and has disease and sought advice from the relatively early in European settlement. a tall inflorescence with bright yellow Incursion Investigator. The causal agent flowers. The nursery owner advised that of club root, Plasmodiaphora brassicae, is MPI Plant Imports (Germplasm) in his experience S. niveoaureus did not already present in New Zealand and not informed an Incursion Investigator that thrive in New Zealand summers. The a notifiable organism. However, a sample a Waikato plant nursery had imported establishment risk of S. niveoaureus as an was requested to determine whether about 22 000 plant tissue cultures that invasive weed is considered low. Initial any biosecurity risk existed. Testing by had been mislabelled by the exporting investigation suggested that X. fastidiosa PHEL was negative for club root and nursery in the Netherlands. The tissue is not an issue as S. niveoaureus is the plant-parasitic nematodes. A second cultures, received in 2016, had been not a host for the bacterium. A risk lot of samples was requested from the labelled Stachys byzantina (under Basic assessment to determine potential for grower, who at this time reported that requirement) but recently it was disclosed establishment was requested from the similar symptoms had been found on that they were Senecio niveoaureus, MPI Risk Analysis Team. After a field swedes a year previously on a neighbour’s a species not listed in the Plants visit in August 2017, samples were farm 6 km away. A second sample of Biosecurity Index (PBI) and considered conclusively identified asS. niveoaureus. kale and swede plant material including a new organism under the Hazardous 30 Surveillance 44 (4) 2017 roots, galls and soil tested positive from purchase to discovery it was highly Reference for Plasmodiaphora brassicae . This likely to be a local infestation. Photos Johns PM (1962). Introduction to the endemic soil-borne pathogen is widespread in were consistent with psocids (booklice), and introduced millipedes of New Zealand. New Zealand and has been reported to which the notifier believed might have New Zealand Entomologist 3, 38–46. cause club root disease on many Brassica come from old books in a recycling bin species. The farmer was informed of the located near the pantry. The sample outcome and advised to contact his crop was identified asLiposcelis sp., thought Carolyn Bleach scout for management advice. to be of local origin, but was too badly Acting Manager damaged to identify to species level. Surveillance & Incursion Investigation A blueberry grower contacted PHEL to (Plant Health) report that her blueberry plants were The notifier reported the presence of Diagnostic and Surveillance Services possibly affected byXylella fastidiosa about 50 strange-looking live weevils Directorate (Pierce’s disease of grapevines) and in a bag of cashew nuts purchased from Ministry for Primary Industries blueberry scorch virus. She had lost a local Indian spice store six months [email protected] about 150 of her 200 plants. The plants earlier. He described them as very small had been purchased about 3 years with a black front and a light brown previously from a commercial grower abdomen. A specimen was submitted who was no longer operating. PHEL to PHEL and identified as the merchant mycologists ruled out X. fastidiosa by grain beetle, Oryzophilus mercator. This analytical testing. In the absence of any species is present in New Zealand and of viruses or pathogens, PHEL attributed no biosecurity risk. the plant death to abiotic factors and the A dozen ants were found in a packet of investigation was closed. Chinese noodles purchased from a local Brown marmorated stink grocer about one month previously. The individual packets of noodles were sealed bug but the package was not insect-proof. The A commercial grower saw what he noodles had been stored in the notifier’s thought was a brown marmorated stink pantry and an inspection of the pantry bug (Halyomorpha halys) on a curtain in revealed no further ants. A photo of the his lounge. He thought he recognised the pest was identified as the rice weevil, multi-coloured antennae from a video Sitophilus oryzae, a common stored- shown at an industry meeting. However, product pest established in New Zealand. the photo received by MPI was examined by PHEL entomologists and identified Seed contamination as the native pittosporum shield bug, A large online retailer was advertising Monteithiella humeralis. Eggling brand growing kits on TradeMe. Each kit consisted of a small porcelain Storage pests egg filled with growing medium and The notifier found several live insects a specified variety of seeds that did in a jar of coconut flour. The insects not meet the Import Health Standard were described as reddish brown and for seeds for sowing (e.g., strawberry 5–10 mm long. Although they were seeds require 6 months in quarantine). likely to be a common stored product Furthermore, no phytosanitary pest the notifier was very interested in certificates were received so the import getting a sample identified. The insects pathway of these seeds was not clear. The were identified by PHEL Tamaki as the E-commerce retailer was contacted and biscuit beetle, Stegobium paniceum, a subsequently removed the kits from sale. common stored-product pest established The retailer was told to review the Import in New Zealand. Health Standard for Seeds for Sowing to ensure they would comply in future, and Upon opening a 6 kg bag of rice to re-ship or destroy any kits held in their purchased last year, brown insects were warehouse. found crawling inside. The rice had been stored in the notifier’s pantry in the original packaging. Given the time

Surveillance 44 (4) 2017 31