Assessment of the risk of introduction of exotic forest insects and diseases with imported tents.

Authors: P. D. Gadgil, T. N. Flint
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1983, Issue N.Z.J.For. 28(1) 1983, pp 58-67, May 1983
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: The risk of introduction of exotic insects and diseases with imported tents was assessed by examining 45 tents accompanying incoming passengers at the Auckland International Airport from 3 to 9 December, 1981. After brushing the tent free of gross debris (which is the normal quarantine procedure), eight 133 cm2 areas of each tent roof were swept for 2 minutes with a filter holder containing a membrane filter attached to a vacuum pump. The filters, which retained all detachable material greater than 0.2 fim in diameter, were examined under the microscope. The filters from only 5 tents had more than 10% of their surface covered by the material removed from the tent roof, indicating that the majority of the tents examined were quite clean externally. The density of fungal spores on the tent fabric was close to that expected in outdoor air, showing that a deposit of spores had not accumulated on the tent roof. No spores of pathogens of forest trees were seen on the filters. It is concluded that the risk of introduction of diseases through spores carried on tent roof fabric is small. Potentially pathogenic fungi were, however, present on the debris collected from the tents and live insects were also found inside tents. This debris does pose a risk but the present practice of cleaning tents on arrival should reduce this risk considerably.

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