Natural Enemies - Natural Solutions

Natural Enemies - Natural Solutions PRISMSS NENS - regional programme focused on biocontrol of widespread weeds in the Pacific

Science for Our Land and Our Future
Ko te pūtaiao mō tō tātou whenua, mō āpōpō

Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research (MWLR), based in New Zealand, is the lead Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) technical partner for the Natural Enemies - Natural Solutions (NENS) programme. This PRISMSS programme aims to lower the impact of widespread invasive plants in the Pacific

by reducing their vigour through the introduction of safe natural enemies from the area they and their host plant originate from. This technique has been used safely and successfully worldwide, including the Pacific, to manage weeds for more than 100 years. Natural enemies have been established on 25 weed species in 17 countries in the Pacific. There are many opportunities for:
- spreading existing agents available in the Pacific to new countries
- introducing agents available outside the Pacific
- development of new options for the Pacific

Last week the NENS team visited the lovely team at Koronivia Research Station in Suva, Fiji 🇫🇯 where the Plant Protectio...
17/05/2026

Last week the NENS team visited the lovely team at Koronivia Research Station in Suva, Fiji 🇫🇯 where the Plant Protection section at MoAW are currently rearing and completing host range testing on the African tulip beetle before release. It was great to see how the team are learning and becoming experts in their own way when it comes to working with these NENS agents 🪲

Through NENS, more Pacific island countries are becoming skilled and capable of working with, rearing, testing, and releasing, and monitoring natural enemies. Well done Fiji! 🇫🇯

A two-day training was held in Honiara to support the early development of a NENS programme in Solomon Islands. The trai...
07/05/2026

A two-day training was held in Honiara to support the early development of a NENS programme in Solomon Islands. The training brought together 19 participants from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Biosecurity Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Forestry and Research, Barana Park Community Group, Solo Environment Beautification, and SPREP. Sessions covered how w**d biocontrol works, the safety of natural enemies, and the steps needed to implement a future programme. Participants also discussed safety concerns, shared local perspectives, and explored how a future NENS programme could be built around a community-led approach.

Recent w**d surveys in Guadalcanal Province confirmed that water hyacinth was present at only one site, while most other suspected sites were identified as Monochoria sp. Large infestations of African tulip tree were recorded at Barana and Mbelaha, where the w**d is already spreading into forest areas.

This work, funded by UKAid through SPREP, is an important step in identifying target and priority w**ds for future NENS activities in Solomon Islands, building stakeholder capacity, and preparing for community engagement. A big thank you to the Environment and Conservation Division and Biosecurity Solomon Islands for leading this work.

, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP, Bioeconomy Science Institute, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Group, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands office of Environment and Conservation Division.

Over two weeks on and we are still thinking about the incredible conversations and ideas shared at ISBCW2026! This was a...
31/03/2026

Over two weeks on and we are still thinking about the incredible conversations and ideas shared at ISBCW2026! This was a momentous week for the biocontrol space in the Pacific - it is not often we get to bring together w**d and biocontrol practitioners from across the Pacific! A big ngā mihi nui for PRISMSS (RIR) and Vanuatu Pasture W**ds, supported by NZMFAT, for making this possible!

More highlights from the ISBCW 2026 programme (8–13th March) 🇳🇿🌿✨Participants got out into the field to see some of New ...
22/03/2026

More highlights from the ISBCW 2026 programme (8–13th March) 🇳🇿🌿✨

Participants got out into the field to see some of New Zealand’s w**d biocontrol programmes up close and in action, gaining valuable insights from on-the-ground experiences. Beyond the technical sessions, there was also time to explore Rotorua’s stunning landscapes 🌄, visit popular tourist spots, and experience Māori culture 🪶🔥🎶.

The Pacific NENS programme enabled 22 participants from 10 Pacific Island countries to attend the International Symposiu...
19/03/2026

The Pacific NENS programme enabled 22 participants from 10 Pacific Island countries to attend the International Symposium on Biological Control of W**ds (ISBCW2026) in Rotorua last week. It was great to have Pacific voices contributing to global discussions on w**d biocontrol, joining experts from around the world and representing the region on an international stage. The event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and showcase w**d biocontrol efforts across diverse regions.

Special mention to those who presented: Leisongi Bulesulu (Vanuatu); Aradhana Deesh, Asma Bibi and Makereta Ranadi (Fiji); and Michelle Pius (Papua New Guinea). The event also included breakout sessions for Pacific participants, supporting open discussion, shared learning, and stronger regional connections.

We acknowledge the PRISMSS Restoring Island Resilience and Vanuatu Pasture W**ds projects (both funded by NZ MFAT) and ICBI2023 for supporting Pacific NENS participation.

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bioeconomy Science Institute

🙌 Thanks to ICBI 2023 for supporting Pacific participants, Makereta Ranadi and Michelle Pius, to attend ISBCW 2026!
18/03/2026

🙌 Thanks to ICBI 2023 for supporting Pacific participants, Makereta Ranadi and Michelle Pius, to attend ISBCW 2026!

🌿With less than 2️⃣ weeks to go until ISBCW2026, we are getting super amped - check out the other 4 keynote speakers you...
24/02/2026

🌿With less than 2️⃣ weeks to go until ISBCW2026, we are getting super amped - check out the other 4 keynote speakers you can expect to hear from that week! Don't forget to check out the ISBCW website for more information, too! https://isbcw-rotorua.com/

‼️‼️ looking forward to catching these keynote speakers at ISBCW in Rotorua in 3️⃣ weeks!
12/02/2026

‼️‼️ looking forward to catching these keynote speakers at ISBCW in Rotorua in 3️⃣ weeks!

BULA FIJI! 🇫🇯It has been a momentous week as Fiji becomes the next Pacific Island nation to import and begin rearing of ...
10/12/2025

BULA FIJI! 🇫🇯It has been a momentous week as Fiji becomes the next Pacific Island nation to import and begin rearing of BOTH the African tulip tree mite (Colomerus spathodeae) and the flea beetle (Paradibolia coerulea)!

👩‍🔬The team at Plant Protection Section - KRS Fiji have put in massive efforts to prepare for the arrival of their new little friends that will help turn the tide against the war on African tulip tree in Fiji. The team are now more than ready to begin the mass rearing process before final approval and release into the field. We also got to reconnect with Manaaki scholarship recipient Asma Bibi, who worked with Dr. Quentin Paynter on developing the the Fijian taro vine tingid for her MSc project - vinaka Asma!

Congratulations Fiji on making a sustainable, safe step towards managing African tulip tree, sota tale!



The PRISMSS NENS team and Biosecurity Vanuatu (BV) recently introduced a new natural enemy for Vanuatu against the Afric...
28/11/2025

The PRISMSS NENS team and Biosecurity Vanuatu (BV) recently introduced a new natural enemy for Vanuatu against the African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), the flea beetle (Paradibolia coerulea). The beetle has now been released on Efate, with around 50 individuals released per site at two locations and a further 20 kept for rearing at BV facilities. Both adults and larvae feed on the leaves, helping weaken the plant over time. This marks the second agent released against African tulip tree, following the successful spread of the African tulip gall mite (Colomerus spathodeae), and is the 17th natural enemy introduced for Vanuatu’s invasive w**ds. The release was carried out with assistance of BV staff, Jeffline Tasale and newly appointed W**d Project Officer, Ms. McCarthy Tagaro.

Even more exciting news comes from the pico beetle (Leptinotarsa undecimlineata) impact on pico w**d (Solanum torvum) infestation. Monitoring shows the pico beetles (Leptinotarsa undecimlineata) are now spreading rapidly away from the original release sites, clearing large patches of invasive pico w**d across grazing lands on both Efate and Santo. Plants are being completely defoliated and left as dried skeletons, remarkable progress after just one year. Similar damage has also been reported from release sites on Malekula Island. Prior to release it was predicted that if beetles defoliate pico we might expect some temporary spillover attack on eggplant. Unsurprisingly given the presence of thousands of beetles dispersing from defoliated pico plants, field test eggplants at VARTC are being investigated by starving beetles. To date, however, the plants are either unattacked (Thai white variety) or showing only minor nibbling, which is consistent with expectations based on testing and experiences from Jamaica, where the beetle originates. Monitoring of spillover effects is on-going, but we expect it will cease to be a concern in the coming months as both pico and pico beetle populations will decline dramatically.

The hibiscus bur lace bugs (Haedus vicarius) released earlier against the target w**d, Urena lobata, have also been confirmed as established. The monitoring team found them dispersed beyond their initial release spots, including one site at Le Cress in Santo, where they were detected about 500 metres away from the original point, indicating progressive but patchy spread and continued establishment across the grazing lands.

These developments represent significant progress in managing some of the country’s most damaging invasive w**ds, helping to protect native ecosystems and support sustainable agriculture.


New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP Biosecurity Vanuatu Department Bioeconomy Science InstituteManaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Group VARTC/CTRAV - Inform & Advice "Reliable Agricultural & Livestock Products". VARTC CTRAV

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