Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) - Biosecurity New Zealand

4.2.2 Conclusion of Entry Assessment
The likelihood of a surface feeding insect entering New Zealand on whole plants or root-less
cuttings of Wollemia nobilis is high and should be consider non-negligible.
The likelihood of a surface feeding insect entering New Zealand on plants in vitro is
considered negligible and the risks from this commodity will not be considered further in this
assessment.
4.2.3 Exposure Assessment
The pathway for exposure and establishment of organisms associated with Wollemia nobilis
nursery stock has been summarised in section 3.5.2.
When considering limitations on the ability of a surface feeding insect to move from the
infested imported plant to a host on which it can establish, it should be considered unlikely
that a surface feeding insect will kill the imported plant directly before it would spread to
another host. As the intention of any importer would be to plant the imported infested plant
into the New Zealand environment, it should be considered highly likely that surface feeding
insects on an infested plant would be placed in close proximity to host plants in the
New Zealand environment. It is, however, possible that due to climate limitations the
infesting insect will not be able to develop to a stage that allows spread from the infested
material. It is also possible that the emergent adults of species with a more limited host range
will be unable to find an established host before mortality.
4.2.4 Establishment Assessment
Establishment in New Zealand of surface feeding insects imported on Wollemia nobilis whole
plants or root-less cuttings should be considered to be limited only by the ability of an
infestation to survive and produce life stages (e.g. crawlers) that themselves infest other
hosts. For some species of surface feeding insects their ability to produce further life stages
may be limited in New Zealand’s colder climate. It is expected, however, that Wollemia
nobilis whole plants or root-less cuttings exported to New Zealand may originate in areas of
Australia that have similar climatic conditions to New Zealand and therefore potentially be
infested by organisms adapted to the New Zealand climate.
4.2.5 Conclusion of Exposure and Establishment Assessment
Given that any surface feeding insect entering New Zealand within Wollemia nobilis whole
plants or root-less cuttings would have a high likelihood of developing motile life stages and
establishing a viable population in New Zealand, the likelihood of exposure and
establishment should be considered non-negligible.
4.2.6 Consequence Assessment
In the context of the pathway for importing nursery stock contaminated with surface feeding
insects, any potential consequences to people, the New Zealand environment, and the
New Zealand economy will only become apparent after establishment and some degree of
spread.
Page 38 of 193 14 March 2008 Import Risk Analysis: Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) Araucariaceae Nursery Stock from Australia