3 Mar 2013

Beetle tested as bio-control for tradescantia

8:51 am on 3 March 2013

A biological control for the pest plant tradescantia is being tested in Bay of Plenty.

The regional council has released Tradescantia Tip Beetle in the Kauri Point area, near Katikati, to see if it will be able to control the weed, also known as wandering willie.

It is one of a number of biological agents being trialled across the region.

Beetles help control pest plants by eating them, such as the flea beetle which has helped control ragwort for the last 20 years.