Insects & allies
Biosystematics research focuses on identifying, naming, describing and cataloguing New Zealand´s indigenous and introduced insects, spiders, mites, nematodes, etc. In addition, biosecurity research looks at the risks to natural ecosystems posed by invasive ant species established in New Zealand, and works towards developing strategies to control wasps and ants, and other invaders that might breach our borders.
Research
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Ants, wasps & bees
This research focuses on New Zealand sawflies, wasps, ants and bees (Hymenoptera); especially entomophagous wasps (those that parasitise other insects). -
Beetles
The object of this research programme is to describe and classify New Zealand Coleoptera, placing endemic members into a global framework and addressing questions about their origin, distribution, and natural history. -
Ground beetles
This research area focuses on insects of the order Coleoptera belonging to the family Carabidae (ground–beetles). -
Invasive invertebrates
Looking at risks to natural ecosystems posed by invasive ant species established in New Zealand, developing strategies to control wasps and ants, and other invaders that might breach our borders. -
Mites and ticks
Acari systematics research is centred on describing and cataloguing New Zealand´s indigenous and introduced mites, especially groups of importance in pest control or biosecurity. -
Moths & butterflies
We research New Zealand moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), especially groups with larvae feeding in leaf–litter, dead wood and fungi (mainly families Oecophoridae and Tineidae) and groups with leaf–mining larvae (particularly Nepticulidae). -
Peripatus
The Phylum Onychophora are a very small group of terrestrial animals, commonly known as peripatus or ‘velvet worms’ from their velvety appearance. This group has long been regarded as important in evolutionary biology due to their phylogenetic position, ancient history and Gondwanan distribution. Evolutionary relationships constructed using morphology and molecular data clearly show the Onychophora as a sister group to the Arthropods and a member of the Ecdysozoans. -
Scale insects and whiteflies
The research in this area concerns the small family Aleyrodidae (whiteflies) and the superfamily Coccoidea or scale insects, the latter having 10 families present in New Zealand, with the largest four being Coccidae (soft scales), Diaspididae (armoured scales), Eriococcidae (felt scales), and Pseudococcidae (mealybugs). -
Spiders
Information about White–tailed and Avondale spiders in New Zealand -
Stick Insects and Molecular Systematics
This research focuses on the systematics of New Zealand stick insects (Phasmatodea) and molecular phylogenetics of New Zealand terrestrial invertebrates. -
True bugs, cicadas, leafhoppers & allies
This research area focuses on insects of the order Hemiptera, suborders Cicadomorpha (cicadas, leafhoppers, spittlebugs, treehoppers), Coleorrhyncha (moss bugs), Fulgoromorpha (planthoppers), and Heteroptera (true bugs).