Samurai Wasp Alasdair MacLeod, Chair Ben Smith, Tomato Grower and - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Application to release Trissolcusjaponicus Samurai Wasp Alasdair MacLeod, Chair Ben Smith, Tomato Grower and Board Member

NZ Fresh Tomato Industry • 130 growers; 1015 employees; 120ha of greenhouses • $131m farm gate value (2018); • Covered crops industry worth ~$295m . • Year round supply of NZ grown fresh product • Exports to Australia, Japan, Nth America, Pacific Rim 2

TNZ Strategy • To be economically and environmentally sustainable growers of healthy, safe and nutritious fresh tomatoes • To double the value of the sector by 2020 • Sustainable pest control critical to future industry success . 3

BMSB impact • Piercing/sucking causes spots on fruit – downgraded quality • Greenhouses and packhouses: potential overwintering sites . 4

Biocontrols in tomatoes • Industry is experienced with this approach • Currently uses BCAs for whitefly control (over 25 years) . • Previous applications to release ( Macrolophus, Tamarixia) • Currently working on developing Tamarixia (e.g. import, release, monitoring, adapting to glasshouses ) 5

Glasshouse Growing • Glasshouses are connected to the outside environment • The idea that we are not affected by weather is common, but false • Screens cut down air flow and are not a practical option • One big glasshouse in NZ had screens and they ripped them out . 6

Psyllid Example: the secondary consequences . 7

Psyllid learnings for BMSB • Direct crop damage from BMSB may not be the hardest issue • Loss of market access will hurt • Border closures to export markets . • Loss of high value customers, who have high standards for low residues • Secondary resistance issues from the only BMSB control program (spraying) without Samurai wasp could hurt the most • Many crops affected, not just tomatoes 8

Biocontrol is preferred • Consumers and growers prefer non-chemical pest control • Industry is experienced with biocontrols • Resistance management requires multiple control options . • Most countries have many greenhouse biocontrol options • Mesh not practical or economical 9