An important factor in understanding the likelihood of successful biological control occurring is likely to be the spatial scale over which biological control manipulations are carried out.

This applies particularly to conservation biological control in which agricultural and horticultural habitats are manipulated to increase the availability of pollen, nectar, alternative prey/hosts, or shelter for pests' natural enemies.

This project, with international collaboration, investigates the role of spatial scale in biological control using two complementary approaches:

• Buckwheat as a nectar source for beneficial insects will be sown in and around commercial kale crops at a range of spatial scales and the consequences for parasitism rate of key brassica pests will be assessed.
• GIS techniques will be used to assess the role of pockets of native and non-native vegetation near vineyards in enhancing leafroller biocontrol.

To carry out the planned spatial analysis, a large number of collaborating farmers is needed, with a target of between 30 and 40 brassica paddocks. Brassicas usually have high pest levels with a complex associated suite of pests' natural enemies.

More than 30 collaborating farmers are involved throughout the Canterbury province in this two-year project that involves ambitious habitat manipulation at a large landscape scale. This project is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

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