Project overview
Harris, R.; Abbott, K.; Barton, K.; Berry, J.; Don, W.; Gunawardana, D.; Lester, P.; Rees, J.; Stanley, M.; Sutherland, A.; Toft, R. 2005: Invasive ant pest risk assessment project for Biosecurity New Zealand. Series of unpublished Landcare Research contract reports to Biosecurity New Zealand. BAH/35/2004-1.
This invasive ant risk assessment project, prepared for Biosecurity New Zealand by Landcare Research, presents information on both the ant species that occur in New Zealand and those that pose a potential threat. One aim of this project is to make the information widely available to aid biosecurity in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific. All components of the project will eventually be available online. Those currently available are listed below.
The assessment project has five sections.
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The ants of New Zealand
Warwick Don, Richard Harris, Jo Berry, and Disna Gunawardana
Information sheets provide a checklist and details of the native and adventive ants of New Zealand, and identify those species that have previously been reported from New Zealand, but which we consider not to be present currently, due either to original misidentification or to failed establishment. Two species, Pheidole proxima and Monomorium sp. (fieldi or leave), which have only established very recently, are included in the checklist but are yet to have information sheets prepared.
Species list »
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Preliminary invasive ant risk assessment
Richard Harris
A risk assessment scorecard was developed to quantify the threat to New Zealand of a range of ant species, and aid selection of those worthy of more detailed assessment. 75 taxa were scored and grouped into high, medium, or low threats. A summary was prepared for each taxa, outlining why it was considered for assessment, and the mitigating factors that affect its risk to New Zealand.
Ant risk assessment scorecard »
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Information sheets on invasive ant threats
Richard Harris, Margaret Stanley, Jo Berry, Kirsti Abbott, and Kerry Barton
Information sheets were prepared for all taxa that were scored as medium- or high-risk threats to New Zealand. Information sheets contain:
- Taxonomic category
- Common name(s)
- Synonyms and acronym
- A general description (including identification, behavioural and biological characteristics)
- Global distribution (including map)
- History of spread
- Justification for inclusion.
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Pest risk assessments
Richard Harris, Kirsti Abbott, and Phil Lester
A detailed pest risk assessment was prepared for the eight species ranked as having the highest potential risk to New Zealand in the “Preliminary invasive ant risk assessment”. These assessments review known information on the ant and interpret this information in the context of the risk and consequences of establishment in New Zealand.
Detailed risk assessment »
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Ranking of high risk species
Richard Harris
The eight species for which a detailed pest risk assessment was prepared were ranked. The risks of entry, establishment, spread, and detrimental consequences were each assigned a score from 1 (low risk) to 3 (high risk) for each ant. The scores are compared with two species already established in New Zealand, Linepithema humile (a relatively widespread and abundant pest) and Pheidole megacephala (restricted in distribution and not currently considered a significant pest).
Comparison was also made to Solenopsis invicta, which is widely recognized as a significant threat to New Zealand and other countries in Oceania and for which a risk assessment had already been conducted before this project. Although the ranking exercise was subjective, it highlights some key points on the relative risk of these species.
Ranking of high-risk species ››