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Epiphyas postvittana is a major horticultural pest in many countries, including New Zealand. Recently, two minor components (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol and (E)-11-hexadecenyl acetate were found to increase the attraction of a previously identified two-component sex pheromone (95:5 blend of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate [E11-14:Ac] and (E,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate [E9,E11-14:Ac]) of Epiphyas postvittana. We hypothesised that the interaction between these minor components and the behavioural antagonist (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:Ac) would modulate its antagonistic effect. The effect of increasing the ratio (0.5—10%) of Z11-14:Ac was tested in traps baited with E11-14:Ac and E9,E11-14:Ac (95:5), with or without the addition of the two minor compounds. Catch decreased as the percentage of Z11-14:Ac increased (χ2=108.74; d.f.=9; P

With improvements in 3D-printing technology, the ability to convert the idea of an object quickly into an actual 3D object is becoming both more practicable and affordable. We have been developing a 3D-printed gear housing and a detachable sleeve mechanism with a variable number of rotating arms, to facilitate the testing of a variety of fruit y lures while controlling for environmental bias. The speed of the rotator mechanism is controlled using an adjustable DC step-down module and a series of 3D printed gears. Our current prototype runs on four AA batteries delivering 6V. For testing over longer timeframes or in remote areas, just about any power supply outputting between 5 and 40 volts can be attached. The model is small and has optional printed components that make the unit rain proof so it can be used for both laboratory and eld trials. The model can be printed on any 3D printer with a large enough stage. This model can be used to test lure blends for a variety of insects such as ies or beetles, in a variety of settings such as laboratories, pastures, orchards and forests.

With sensors and microprocessors becoming more affordable all the time it is now possible to build inexpensive environmental regulators for small insect colony boxes We designed and built a humidity regulator for xerophilic (dryloving) Nysius bugs Poorly ventilated insect rearing boxes can have an overly elevated humidity that can promote unwanted fungal growth especially if there is live plant material involved Air conditioned laboratories can have very low ambient humidity but the ideal humidity for an insect colony may be intermediate Direct and accurate measurement and control of humidity is now possible electronically using sensors and a fan to pump dry air into a humid space in a controlled fashion to regulate the humidity The potential exits for different sensors to be used to monitor different environmental variables and to trigger equipment to respond when an environmental threshold is reached Environmental control methods can be simple or elaborate depending on the colony requirements and budget A clock and memory card can be added to the microprocessor to record sensor data and event triggers This method has been successfully used to rear the wheat bug Nysius huttoni

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been used during major invasive insect incursion responses in New Zealand since about 1999. The exchange of local mapping software enabled sharing of data that could be reviewed and analysed by researchers and programme response personnel across the country to help develop invasive species control and response plans quickly. Two examples include the New Zealand response to the Argentine ant and painted apple moth invasions. Advances in web services have globalised delivery of information, and Google Earth in particular has offered novel value that has been explored with co-operators in USDA. Here, data were converted from a excel spreadsheet to *.kml format, plotted in various pre-determined ways and saved as a *.kmz file that could be emailed. Lower than desired analytical functionality was met by better forward planning of analyses for mapping. The population expansion of the light brown apple moth in California is offered as a case study to indicate how rapidly evolving tools can help surveillance programmes, and contrasts with earlier surveillance information management methods used in New Zealand.