27 March 2006
A new bug trapping system has been developed by Frontline Biosecurity which could eliminate the need for harmful fumigation chemicals to be used on industrial sites and export ports. Frontline Biosecurity is a Rotorua-based joint venture between Biosecurity Services, Scion, Genera and Windsor Engineering.
The burnt pine longhorn (Arhopalus ferus) is a serious contaminant of wood and fibre products in New Zealand, and is a thorn in the side of exporters from December to March every year.
The beetles are attracted to ports and processing plants by wood odours and bright lights, and make their home among sawn timber, paper pulp packages and logs.
In order to combat the pest, which can prevent New Zealand exports from being accepted at foreign ports, forest products are usually treated with methyl bromide.
The new trapping system, which utilises UV light panels to attract the insect, is proving to be an effective method for protecting forest products, without the need for harmful chemicals.
Frontline Biosecurity Director, Dr Gordon Hosking, says that sawn timber to Australia is automatically fumigated in the Arhopalus season, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Contamination of sea containers has seen ships refused unloading at Australian ports. We see potential to control such contamination on our ports as well as at major plants.”
A full season of trials at a major pulp plant has led to a commercial design now in use, successfully managing Arhopalus populations at the plant.
“Although specifically designed for Arhopalus the traps also reduce other site contaminants such as cicada, black beetle, flies, and moths,” Dr Hosking explains.
While Frontline Biosecurity pursues the commercialisation of the traps, New Zealand’s leading biosecurity researchers at Ensis Forest Biosecurity and Protection will be working on refinements to the technology.
Ensis Forest Biosecurity and Protection leader, Dr Brian Richardson says that with a little refinement the UV light trap could prove to be a powerful tool for border biosecurity at ports and airports.
“There is growing pressure in New Zealand to minimise the use of fumigants and, methyl bromide in particular, because it is ozone depleting. Non-chemical methods, such as the UV light traps, represent a valuable alternative in terms of risk management,” he says.
Dr Richardson explains that the traps can be integrated into an overall site management programme involving changes to lighting, breeding site reduction, and product storage.
“The use of light traps as a key strategy in Arhopalus management arises from a philosophy of applying what is already known and looking for simple solutions, before looking at the sometimes more glamorous, and usually more risky and expensive, complex ones,” he says.
The simple design consists of a large 320W UV light panels with catching troughs containing water and detergent below the insect impact surface.
The beetles typically strike the clear surface of the light panel and drop into the trough.
“Ensis intends to undertake research into how different parts of the UV spectrum can be used to target specific species, and evaluating the traps for monitoring exotic insects crossing our border,” Dr Richardson explains.