Saving Tristan’s only native tree and its associated unique buntings
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Darwin Plus
VALUE £306,653
WHERE Tristan da Cunha
Summary
Coccus hesperidum, an invasive alien scale insect, has infested Tristan’s only native tree species, Phylica arborea, smothering and killing many. Endemic Nesospiza buntings, evolved to specialise on Phylica fruit, are therefore threatened with possibly imminent extinction. Biological control has worked for C. hesperidum elsewhere. This project will select, safely test, and release at least two agents in heavily infested Phylica stands to reduce scale numbers, safeguarding the bunting species. It will also control invasive flax spreading towards threatened Phylica habitat.
