Is the gorse pod moth an effective biocontrol agent of gorse in New Zealand?

Abstract

The gorse pod moth (Cydia succedana (Denis & Schiffermüller)) was released in New Zealand in 1992 as a biocontrol agent for gorse (Ulex europaeus L). Between August 2009 and April 2011 fifteen sites in the upper South Island and Lower North Island were monitored for gorse pod moth numbers and gorse seed production. Both factors varied among sites. However, overall only 27% of the gorse seeds produced were destroyed or were damaged to such an extent that they were not viable. Based on these numbers, gorse biocontrol by the gorse pod moth has not been successful, primarily because the gorse pod moth population and gorse flowering are not in synchrony.