Exploring biocontrol in the Pacific
Monday, 16 March 2026 at 9:00 am
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
We are pleased to announce that the post-symposium field trip to Rarotonga will be going ahead. Please notify our team that you are interested in attending if you have not already done so probstc@landcareresearch.co.nz . Below are further details on booking your trip. More details, including the exact meeting point and a detailed itinerary, will be provided closer to the event.
FLIGHTS
We recommend arriving in Rarotonga on or before Sunday, 15 March 2026 (Cook Islands time) to allow plenty of time to settle in.
Return flights can be booked according to your own schedule.
Note: Rarotonga is 22 hours behind New Zealand, please check flight times and dates carefully when booking.
ACCOMMODATION
We suggest staying in the Muri Beach area so participants can be located close together. A wide variety of options (from budget to higher-end resorts) are available within and around Muri Beach. Early booking is advised to secure preferred option.
TRANSPORT
Participants are responsible for their own transport, except for Monday’s organised field trip. Transport options include:
– Public bus services (operating clockwise and anticlockwise around the island)
– Taxis or shuttle services
– Rental cars, scooters, or bicycles
FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE
The field trip will begin on Monday, 16 March 2026 at 9:00 am (location to be confirmed closer to the date).
The morning session will include presentations on Cook Islands biocontrol projects, followed by visits to local field sites.
Participants will have the opportunity to observe a range of biocontrol agents, including:
African tulip gall mite (Colomerus spathodae), African tulip beetle (Paradibolia coerulea), cocklebur rust (Puccinia xanthii), grand balloon vine rust (Puccinia arechavaletae), lantana leaf-mining beetle (Uroplata girardii), leucaena psyllid (Heterospylla cubana), mile-a-minute rust (Puccinia spegazzinii), and the red postman butterfly (Heliconius erato cyrbia).
We also plan to visit sites featuring weeds currently under evaluation for biocontrol or identified as future candidates.
FIELD FEE
To cover local transport on the day, participants will be asked to contribute a small field trip transport fee. Details regarding the amount and payment method will be provided once participants numbers are confirmed.
Morning tea will be provided, and there will be opportunities to purchase lunch and other refreshments.
EXTRA ACTIVITY
An optional Cross-Island Walk is planned for Tuesday, 17 March 2026, for participants interested in exploring Rarotonga’s natural landscapes.
The walk will also offer an opportunity to view the strawberry guava scale insect (Tectococcus ovatus) in the field. Participation will be weather dependent.
NEXT STEPS
Once travel arrangements are confirmed, please email probstc@landcareresearch.co.nz to advise the organising committee of your plans.