Niue will be welcoming a leaf-feeding beetle that researchers hope will turn the tide against the invasive weed known as air potato, or locally as hoi.
As the technical lead for the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) Natural Enemies – Natural Solutions (NENS) Programme researchers from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR) will make the first delivery in the Pacific of the air potato leaf beetle (Lilioceris cheni), a natural enemy of the air potato (Dioscoria bulbifera), in early November.
The PRISMSS NENS programme aims to lower the impact of widespread invasive plants. Led by MWLR, NENS reduces the vigour of widespread weeds through reuniting them with safe natural enemies from their original homeland. The NENS programme initiatives empowers Pacific communities by improving the health and well-being of all living things and ecosystems.
The beetles have been raised in Manaaki Whenua’s Invertebrate Containment facility in Lincoln, near Christchurch, New Zealand, and will be released in Niue in collaboration with the Environment Department, with the help of National Invasive Species Co-ordinator Mr Huggard Tongatule.
