Scientists put sting in pesky weevil 

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.

The clover root weevil first arrived in New Zealand a decade ago, spreading swiftly through the North Island and causing millions of dollars of losses by destroying clover essential for boosting cows' milk production and pasture growth.

"Clover's there for nitrogen fixation so it means if it's not there you have to put an artificial fertiliser on to keep production up," says Federated Farmers spokesperson Edwin Newport.

The weevil is now the South Island's number one farming pest. But a parasitic wasp that has already been used in the North Island may be the answer to getting rid of it.

The sting-less Irish wasp acts by laying its egg in the abdomen of adult weevils, rendering the weevil sterile.

However, scientists say that while the introduction of the wasp is a start, it is not the final solution.
 
"It's not going to eradicate clover root weevil unfortunately. It's going to help to suppress the populations and what we're going to need to do is learn to manage pasture differently so the clover still performs well," says AgResearch spokesperson Craig Phillips.

But while the wasp may not decimate weevil populations, its help in controlling the pest is something the country's economy depends on.

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