Ministry for Primary Industries

O-407244 Passion Vine Hopper Distribution and Lifecycle - Fieldwork

2.1 The objective of this procurement is to procure scientific services to carry out field surveys of passion vine hopper distribution and abundance, as well as a targeted collection of honey for tutin testing. The work will be informed, in part, by a literature review delviered under contract to MPI by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research: ‘A review of the phenology and distribution of passion vine hopper, Scolypopa australis Walker, in New Zealand and the potential impact of climate change’.
2.2 The project will focus on designing and conducting standardised field surveys to obtain more data on passion vine hopper distribution and abundance. This survey should have a focus on early life stages (eggs and nymphs), as well as adults. This survey should be done across New Zealand, and should include records of absences as well as presences. Particular focus should be given to areas in which application of the standard may no longer address risk adequately given projected climate change scenarios. In particular:
- The southern range edge (at, or below 42°S) where range expansion of passion vine hopper will likely occur under credible climate projections. In particular, Canterbury and the West Coast of the South Island, may experience passion vine hopper population increases due to projected changes in climate.
- Warmer regions of New Zealand (e.g. Northland and Coromandel) should be targeted in the study, to ensure the January to April tutin risk period can still address the risk of tutin contamination in honey. The contractor will need to determine if 31 December is still the appropriate cut-off date for honey harvest, or if passion vine hopper populations are exceeding threshold abundances earlier in the season.
2.3 The field survey data will be analysed by the supplier to develop a spatial model with likely predictions of where passion vine hopper would be based on environmental variables across the ranges surveyed.
2.4 It is also expected that targeted collection and testing of honey for tutin will be undertaken as part of this project. The preference is that, where possible, honey will be taken directly from single apiary sites and hives. As with the passion vine hopper field surveys, the honey testing should focus on areas where range expansion could be occurring, and the passion vine hopper ‘high-abundancy interval’ may be lengthening.

Department/Business Unit: New Zealand Food Safety