New Zealand hearing on agents to control the weed tutsan

Date:03-28-2016

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) proposes a hearing on an application to introduce a moth and a leaf-feeding beetle as biological control agents. If approved for release, the moth Lathronympha strigana and the leaf-feeding beetle Chrysolina abchasica would be used to help control the weed tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum), which is threatening hill country farming. The hearing will be held on 8 April 2016.

The application, from the Tutsan Action Group, is made under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996.