New Light On Quarantine

12 February 2008
Scientists at Crown Research Institute Scion have chosen Moutere Forest near Nelson (NZ) to trial new lighting systems designed to repel insects and reduce the risk of pest contamination at wood processing sites.
Project leader Dr Steve Pawson says while most people know that standard light bulbs are highly attractive to insects at night, certain wavelengths of light in the yellow spectrum are the opposite for some insects completely unattractive.
"The reason behind this research is because pest contamination of forest products can create quarantine issues for forest products when they go for export," he says.
"Our aim is to identify which type of yellow light is most effective in deterring insects, thereby reducing insect contamination, and the need for fumigation at our ports where forest products are typically treated using methyl bromide to meet strict quarantine controls.
"If New Zealand is going to reduce methyl bromide and other chemical use, we have to start by reducing pest populations at processing sites, which involves taking completely new approaches to pest control."

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