Biological control agents
Biocontrol is increasingly being recognised as an essential part of integrated pest management systems that contributes to sustainable pest control.
Our role in biocontrol
We have pioneered world-leading qualitative risk assessments. These assessments analyse and weigh up environmental, economic, societal, human health, and cultural values into a decision-making framework for using new biological control agents (BCAs) in New Zealand.
Weeds and agriculture pests
Weeds are one of the hardest to control pest problems in New Zealand with massive adverse effects on productive land, natural habitats, and taonga species. The costs to conventionally manage weeds can be significant, as well as the costs of reduced productivity and biodiversity loss.
We have approved BCA insects to control serious agriculture pests such as codling moth and the tomato potato psyllid.
The benefits of biocontrol
Biological control sustainably controls the abundance of weeds and insects in the environment. Classical biological control relies on the release of large numbers of biocontrol agents to allow insect or pathogen populations to establish. These agents continue to control target pests over many years.
The underlying principles of biocontrol are safety, self-sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. It has long-term application. Biocontrol reduces the reliance on conventional pest controls such as pesticides. Pesticides may be too expensive to control pests over widespread areas, and may have harmful indirect effects on non-target species.