South Island clover root weevil in the media

February 2006

• Clover root weevil hits South Island
  AgResearch media release - 17 February 2006
  "AgResearch today announced it has detected the destructive white clover pest, clover root weevil, in the South Island for the first time..."
• Clover weevil reaches South Island
  Otago Daily Times - 17 February 2006
  "South Island farmers were yesterday warned a destructive weevil found near Christchurch will chew millions of dollars off their earnings..."
• Weevil storms South Island
  New Zealand Farmer - 20 February 2006
  "Last week's discovery of clover root weevil in AgResearch traps has come as little surprise to researchers and farmers..."
• Clover weevil takes flight
  New Zealand Farmer - 20 February 2006
  "Clover weevil must surely have been mocking us when it chose an international airfield for its South Island home. Public entry to the Christchurch site is restricted because it's an aviation zone. But clearly the weevils can come and go whenever they like..."
• Evil weevil here to stay
  The Press, Christchurch - 24 February 2006
  "The discovery of clover root weevil near Christchurch this month has put biosecurity authorities on red alert, but South Island farmers have yet to appreciate how devastating the pest can be..."

April 2006

• Clover root weevil found established near Nelson
  AgResearch media release - 14 April 2006
  "The planning of a South Island response to manage the destructive white clover pest, clover root weevil, is under way after the discovery of an established population on a dairy farm in Richmond, near Nelson..."
• Weevil established in South Island
  TVNZ - OneNews, Rural - 18 April 2006
  "One of the most destructive pasture pests, the clover root weevil, has been found at a second South Island site..."
• Clover root weevil well established
  Nelson Mail - 18 April 2006
  "The clover root weevil discovered on a Richmond dairy farm is well established on other farms in the region, a pastoral specialist says..."
• War declared on $1b weevil pest
  The Press, Christchurch - 21 February 2006
  "The phoney war is over and the battle is on after the discovery of a second clover-root-weevil community in the South Island this month. What is next in the fight against the evil weevil?..."
• Why is the clover root weevil so evil?
  The Press, Christchurch - 21 February 2006
  "Adult clover-root weevils feed on white-clover leaves and lay eggs on the soil. White larvae hatch from the eggs and burrow into the top 5cm of the soil to feed on the root nodules, which capture atmospheric nitrogen..."

June 2006

• Farmers asked to lobby for funds
  Rural News - 7 June 2006
  "Researchers are calling on farmers to lobby for funds to help slow the spread of the clover root weevil (CRW) through the South Island..."
• Battling a $500m pasture pest
  Rural News - 7 June 2006
  "A major pest that is costing pastoral farming an estimated $150 million per year may become a $500m per year burden within a decade, according to an economic analysis carried out for MAF last year..."

July 2006

• First South Island release of clover root weevil biocontrol today
  AgResearch media release - 26 July 2006
  "AgResearch today fired the first shot in the war on the clover root weevil in the South Island in an effort to control a pest that could cost the pastoral sector up to $300 million per year..."
• Scientists put sting in pesky weevil
  TVNZ - OneNews, Business - 26 July 2006
  "South Island scientists are striking back at a minute pest that could cost $1 billion every year in lost agricultural production if it is not brought under control..."

September 2006

• Clover root weevil website popular
  AgResearch intouch - September 2006
  "A website developed by AgResearch to provide farmers with basic information about the clover root weevil is proving popular..."

November 2006

• Website answers on clover root weevil
  Country-Wide Northern - 1 November 2006
  "With the onset of spring adult clover root weevils are beginning to emerge and the characteristic notches they chew into clover leaves will soon become evident. As the winged adult weevils take flight into new areas, farmers may notice this damage for the first time and start looking for information and solutions..."