Risk analysis of Halyomorpha halys - Biosecurity New Zealand

unaccompanied goods may provide additional sites either for overwintering
aggregations or incidental contamination as a result of proximity to aggregations.
Wood packaging, especially if it has been stored outdoors, may be one of the more
likely means of introduction of H. halys. This pathway has been suggested to be the
probable means of introduction to the USA. Wood packaging may originate from a
variety of different environments and are not confined to more managed areas such as
sea and airports.
Wood packaging, and items within, has the opportunity to be present in an infested
environment for some time before shipment, increasing the likelihood of infestation
with either individuals or overwintering aggregations.
All wood packaging for importation must be free of regulated pests, extraneous
material and bark and be treated and certified. Wood packaging is subject to risk
profiling with a sample selected for inspection (MAFBNZ 2009e); these management
measures will go some way to mitigate the likelihood of entry.
Unaccompanied goods pose a similar likelihood of contamination as personal luggage
(section 2.5.4.4). Unaccompanied goods require a declaration of any biosecurity risk
goods and will be subject to inspection on arrival. These measures will not prevent
goods from becoming incidentally contaminated by H. halys. If any item has
originated in an infested area it may become incidentally contaminated.
Unaccompanied goods and personal effects are more likely to harbour individuals
than aggregations; however, there remains an opportunity for introduction on this
pathway particularly if previously mated females were associated with these goods.
Given that:
a large number of containers are imported from countries in which H. halys
occurs;
overwintering aggregations may be present on containers;
egg masses could enter on contamination present in containers;
all sea containers are inspected but not necessarily on all sides;
wood packaging is considered the likely means of introduction to the USA;
wood packaging may harbour overwintering aggregations;
management measures for wood packaging will mitigate the likelihood of
entry to some degree, but not entirely;
unaccompanied goods are likely to be only incidentally contaminated;
The likelihood of entry on containers and items within, taking into account the
current risk management is considered to be moderate.
4.4.2 Fresh produce and cut flowers
Individual H. halys may enter New Zealand associated with fresh produce or cut
flowers. Adults and nymphs may be associated primarily with fruit but also with
leaves, and eggs and nymphs may be associated with leaves and stems. However;
adults and nymphs are easily disturbed (Wermelinger et al. 2008) and are unlikely to
remain associated with the commodity during routine harvest and packing activities.
Different commodities are subject to different export production systems (postharvest
and packing activities); these systems are assessed by the import risk analysis
20 Risk Analysis: Halyomorpha halys Ministry for Primary Industries