Story: Forestry research

Sirex wasp (1st of 2)

Sirex wasp

The sirex wasp (Sirex noctilio) is an introduced pest that lays its eggs in pine trees, fatally weakening them. Its effects were understood in the early 1900s, and biological control methods were trialled successfully in the 1930s. However, it wreaked havoc in the Kāingaroa State Forest in 1945 and 1946.

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How to cite this page:

Margaret Richardson, 'Forestry research - Combating threats to forests', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17059/sirex-wasp (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Margaret Richardson, published 24 Nov 2008