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Biological control of possums – introduction

Possums are one of New Zealand's biggest pests. Currently they are controlled by poisoning and trapping, but this is expensive and ongoing. Biological control has the potential to provide novel ...

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Fighting a little bee mite

A little mite, like a tiny spider the size of a pin head, has been plaguing New Zealand’s bee industry. The mites, called varroa, are parasites which live on the outside of honey bees and their ...

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Where is the biotechnology in the possum biocontrol ...

Biological control, or biocontrol, is the use of a living organism, or the product of a living organism, to control the numbers of another organism, usually a pest. The potential advantages of ...

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Biotechnology basics quiz

Biotechnology is part of everyday life and has been for thousands of years. People have cultured bacteria to make yoghurt and cheese, used yeasts to make bread, fermented grapes to make wine and ...

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Finding a female

In this activity, students play a card game that models the journey of a male pea crab (a parasite of green-lipped mussels) from his mussel host and back again. Purpose This activity will help ...

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Inside a cell

In this activity, students learn about the contents of a cell. They explore some of the main organelles within a cell using the analogy of a school, an online interactive and/or by making ...

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Developing a biocontrol game – unit plan

Students of any level develop a board game illustrating knowledge of New Zealand’s possum problem and the strategies used to control it – including biocontrol strategies. Purpose To demonstrate ...

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Making a case for possum biocontrol – unit plan

Students collect information from the public about methods of controlling possum numbers and then present a report on the use of biocontrol. Purpose Although the active biocontrol research ...

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Biocontrol in action – unit plan

Students carry out a practical investigation to help AgResearch scientists monitor the spread of Microctonus aethiopoides (a tiny wasp) and its success as a biocontrol agent for clover root ...

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Biocontrol and the importance of species specificity

Of course it is really important that other species are not affected. This is one of the problems with using poisons, like 1080. They are often non-specific, and kill species other than possums ...

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Bees and varroa

Watch varroa mites (white juveniles and brown adults) on honey bees and learn how they spread viruses that kill bee colonies. Dr Mark Goodwin of Plant & Food Research shows hives being ...

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Genetically modifying worms to affect possum fertility

At AgResearch, scientists are modifying a parasitic worm that infects possums. The modified worm will be able to seriously reduce the fertility of possums that it infects. Dr. Warwick Grant ...

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Biotechnology quiz

Answer the questions in this quiz to find out how much you know about biotechnology.

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Weeds that threaten native ecosystems – slideshow

A slideshow of weeds and the adaptations that make them problematic in a New Zealand setting. Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download ...

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The immune system

This interactive explains the different cells, microorganisms and molecules involved in the human immune system.

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