Bugs used to control weed
There is hope in the fight against Chinese privet, with the release of a tiny bug that feasts on the weed.
For the first time, the Auckland Council’s biosecurity team have released 500 lacebugs in Rodney.
On November 10, the council released the biological weed control into Te Arai Regional Park in the hope they will help protect native plants and reduce hay fever suffering.
Chinese privet is widespread in Auckland.
It is known for displacing native plants and its leaves and fruit are poisonous to dogs and people.
The lacebug is it’s natural enemy and will only feed on the privet’s tissue. When the lacebug does this it leaves the Chinese privet defoliated.
Auckland Council’s Holly Cox said she was hopeful about the difference it would make to the area.
‘‘This is a great approach to control the pest and support the rest of the plant life.‘‘
The team is expecting it will take five to 10 years to see visible differences.
The long term biocontrol programme is a favoured biocontrol method as the lacebugs aren’t harmful to the environment.
‘‘They shouldn’t feed on other plants and the impact of the lacebugs should increase after the initial release as the lacebug population should grow,’’ Cox said.