A Helpful Immigrant
This article investigates the use of bio-control agents – insects or other organisms that are imported to manage plant pests.
About this resource
Series: Connected 2011 Level 3 - Border Security
Category: Non-fiction
Strand: Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, Statistics, Nature of science, Living world
A Helpful Immigrant
Words by Mike Tapp
The article explains why they can be safer than chemical-control agents. It then investigates the research and trials that have to take place before a bio-control agent is allowed into the country and the constant monitoring that is required to make sure that these new immigrants are doing the work they have been imported to do.
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More from this series
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Connected 2011 Level 3 - Border Security
In this Connected series there are four articles ("It Seemed Like a Good Idea"; "Protecting the Border"; "A Helpful Immigrant"; "What is Biosecurity").
1 of 4It Seemed Like a Good Idea At The Time
This article describes an environmental decision that had terrible consequences.
2 of 4Protecting the Border
This article describes the systems and technologies that have been developed to prevent unwanted pests, diseases, and goods coming into New Zealand and to prevent precious taonga such as native species being smuggled out of the country.
3 of 4What is Biosecurity
This article introduces the concept of biosecurity and explains how, as a group of isolated islands, New Zealand developed a unique range of ecosystems.
4 of 4
