Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) and its New Zealand vectors

Biosecurity outcome

Delivery of critical, currently unavailable, knowledge on the distribution of potential endemic insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), their host plants, seasonality, and movement between the native and productive estate. The information will be incorporated into MPI and DOC Xf risk assessments for the productive and native estate and industry response plans through the Xylella Action Group (XAG).

Science outcome

Filling the current knowledge gaps, advancing the understanding of the presence of endemic/native insect vectors in NZ that could potentially transmit Xf; their ecology, seasonality, distribution, host plants, and movement between native and selected productive land use. The data generated by the entomological research, along with any existing data, will be used to model both national scale habitat and vector distribution scenarios. Spatially explicit, mechanistic simulation modelling using field data from two contrasting landscapes will be used to explore various transmission rates and understand risk profiles.

Read a story about the project: Improving Aotearoa New Zealand’s Xylella readiness