No
Tomato mottle virus
Information on this Pest (Disease) is currently being updated.
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Monomorium destructor
This pest is not in New Zealand.
If you suspect you have found this in New Zealand, call 0800 99 66
Description
There are two particular features of this ant that help to distinguish it from other ants in New Zealand: it is distinctly two toned with an orange thorax and dark coloured abdomen, and individuals vary in size from 1.8 to 3.5 mm. Common New Zealand ants are up to two distinct sizes with no continual size variation.
See pest risk assessment 
(1006 KB) for additional info.
Impact
These ants can inflict a painful sting and are attracted to electric wires, causing short circuits.
Management
High risk potential points of entry for exotic ants are surveyed every year as part of the National Invasive Ant Surveillance Programme. Over 100 sites throughout New Zealand will be surveyed in the summer of 2007.
Fact Sheet
- Singapore ant risk assessment (1006 KB)
Useful Resources
- http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/
- http://www.antweb.org/
- http://www.padil.gov.au/viewPestDiagnosticImages.aspx?id=624
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Page last updated: 10 December 2009
Euglandina rosea
Other common name: cannibal snail
Photos courtesy of: Bill Frank
This species is NOT present in New Zealand and is prohibited under the Hazardous Substance and New Organisms Act 1996. If you find this snail report it to Biosecurity New Zealand’s Exotic Pests and Diseases hotline on 0800 809 966.
Description
The rosy wolf snail Euglandina rosea is a terrestrial snail with a long and slender body. It can be recognized by its shell, which is pinkish and almost translucent. The shell is usually 5 – 8 cm in length, 6 cm in height and 2 cm in width. The lips, which are elongated and protrude like tentacles, contain chemical receptors that are used to track prey by following their mucus trails. When it has located its prey, it consumes smaller species whole, while larger ones are manoeuvred in such a way that their soft parts are exposed for easier extraction.
Impact
The rosy wolf snail was introduced to several oceanic islands to control the giant African snail Achatina fulica and other snail pest species. Since its introduction to these islands, rosy wolf snails has caused extinctions of endemic tree snails in French Polynesia as well as the marked decline of endemic land snails of Hawaii and Mauritius.
Distribution
Rosy wolf snails are native to the south-eastern United States and have been introduced to Kiribati, French Polynesia, American Samoa, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Palau, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Borneo, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, India, Andaman Islands, Sri Lanka, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
Resources
- Global Invasive Species Database
- Introduced Species Summary Project Rosy Wolf Snail (Euglandina rosea)
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Information on this Pest (Disease) is currently being updated.
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Dysdera crocata
Other common names: Woodlouse Spider, Woodlouse Hunter
Photo courtesy of: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
This species is established in New Zealand.
Description
The Slater Spider Dysdera crocata has earned its common name because of its preference for the common slater or woodlice. The body of the slater spider is approximately 1 - 1.5 cm in body length. The cephalothorax (the fused head and thorax) and legs are red-orange and the abdomen is cream to pale coffee-coloured. These spiders only have six eyes rather than the usual eight. The chelicerae (the structures that bear the fangs) project forward and are quite large relative to the size of the spider.
Impact
Although not aggressive, the slater spider is quick to defend itself from intruders. Its bite can be painful but the venom does not cause serious medical problems.
Distribution
Slater spiders originate in Europe but are now common throughout much of the world. They may be found throughout New Zealand and are common in suburban gardens.
Management
Due to the nocturnal nature of slater spiders, they are not often seen and control is not necessary. If caught, release the spider carefully well away from dwellings.
Resources
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Pycnonotus cafer
Other common names: bulbul cafre (French)
This species is being investigated in New Zealand and is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. If you see this bird, report it to Biosecurity New Zealand’s Exotic Pests and Diseases hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Description
The red vented bulbul is a medium-sized bird (20 - 22 cm). Red vented bulbuls are active birds with a generally dark in appearance with a white abdomen and rump and a distinctive crimson patch beneath its tail. The upper parts are generally smoke-brown to black with each feather being darker in the centre, giving a scaled appearance. The head is partially crested and black, the throat is black and the underparts are greyish white. The breast is dark and faintly scaled, the under-tail coverts are red, the tail is brown with a white tip and the bill is black. The immature bird is similar in appearance to the adult except there is some brownish edging on the feathers.
Impact
Red vented bulbuls are known to cause significant damage to fruit and vegetable crops and aggressively chase and attack other birds. They will feed on native fruits, berries, insects, flower nectar, seeds and buds displacing species such as Kereru by their aggressive competitive nature. They may also help in the spread of seeds of other invasive species.
Distribution
The red vented bulbul is native to parts of Asia (Pakistan to southwest China) and has been introduced to a number of Pacific Islands where it is now recognised as a serious invasive pest.
Management
In the 1950’s a small population of about 50 red vented bulbuls became established between Takapuna and Mt Eden after some were released from a ship. It took until 1955 for them to be completely eradicated, and since the late 1960’s it has been illegal to import them.
In September 2006, a pair of female red vented bulbuls was captured in Parnell, Auckland. Biosecurity New Zealand with the assistance of the Department of Conservation is following up on several unconfirmed sightings in the Auckland region. It is not known how the recently sighted birds arrived in Auckland, but they may have been released from a yacht or ship arriving in Auckland from elsewhere in the Pacific.
Media Releases
Resources
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Monochamus
Information on this Pest (Disease) is currently being updated.
Page last updated: 22 October 2008
Pilosella piloselloides subsp. praealta
Information on this Pest (Disease) is currently being updated.
Page last updated: 14 January 2010
Pilosella officinarum
Information on this Pest (Disease) is currently being updated.
Page last updated: 14 January 2010
