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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, FEBRUARY 2017
Why should New Zealand care? Much of New Zealand’s climate, particularly in the North Island, is suitable for myrtle rust. Its spores are airborne and can last for 90 days, and while susceptibility of the species changes in each country, it makes sense to start looking at our contingency plans and preparedness for this invasive pest. Additionally, and critically, a number of our key species (such as mānuka and pōhutukawa) belong to the Myrtaceae family. Iwi speakers at the workshop talked about the importance of these species as taonga and the need to engage with iwi in supporting biosecurity solutions, including ongoing surveillance. Next steps In opening the discussion on what action New Zealand needed to take, MPI’s Rebecca Martin talked about the need for New Zealand to get an action plan in place now, looking at adaptive management options for this disease and developing a communications approach that would see the wider public involved in surveillance. Another step was to start registering appropriate fungicide treatments for myrtle rust. The workshop attendees also discussed initiatives such as getting baseline information on susceptible plants, precautionary seed banking, establishing a long-term repository for data and observations, and collaborating in our research efforts both in New Zealand and internationally. The two-day workshop provided a valuable insight into the myrtle rust fungal pest and importantly, set up next steps, including a working group to get an action plan under way and start building on our knowledge to fill the research gaps. Apiculture New Zealand will play a role in that work and will keep its members updated on progress. Image sources Figure 1: https://invasives.org.au/wp- content/uploads/2014/02/myrtle-rust.jpg Figure 2 (also pictured on this page): Myrtle rust on Geraldton wax leaf tips, taken by John Tann from Sydney, Australia. Retrieved January 11, 2017 from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Myrtle_rust_on_Geraldton_Wax_leaf_ tips_(8593947727).jpg
COMMENTS FROM FRANK LINDSAY
Rust spores flourish under ultraviolet light, and can resemble pollen. Californian beekeeper Randy Oliver has found that honey bees can mistakenly collect spores and pack them in and around the brood nest late in the season, but as it’s not pollen, the bees can’t use it. Apart from spreading in the air and by human traffic, our honey bees could be a vector for spreading rust spores. Imagine the effect it could have on our beekeeping if rust spores were to get into a mānuka area: no hive movements?
That being said, beekeepers are still producing jelly bush honey in northern New South Wales river systems, so it can’t be having too much effect on leptospermum species at the moment (but it is on other eucalyptus species).
LAND USE AGREEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Apiculture New Zealand has developed two Land Use Agreements that will be available to members at a significantly discounted price.
The two land use contracts now available for purchase from the ApiNZ website are: • Apiary Land Use Agreement – Land Owner/Beekeeper Profit Share: For those beekeepers offering a crop share arrangement. • Apiary Land Use Agreement – Site Rental: For those beekeepers paying a set apiary site rental or per hive rate to the land owner.
The agreements will be $195 +GST for ApiNZ members and $455 +GST for non-members.
These can be found on the ApiNZ website here: http://apinz.org.nz/land-use-agreement/
The agreements will be personalised to the purchaser, so on application you will need to answer some questions which will be added to your document. Once payment is received this document will be sent to you via e-mail. If you have any questions, please contact the ApiNZ Management Team on 04 471 6254 (Monday to Friday 8.30–5.30) or e-mail info@apinz.org.nz.
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