Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) are potential vectors of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in New Zealand. The associations between habitat and weather factors on the abundance of these flies were investigated. Between October 1999 and June 2001, flies were trapped on open pasture and in dense vegetation patches on farmland in the Himatangi area of the North Island. Five calliphorid species were trapped commonly at scrub edges and the most abundant sarcophagid, Oxysarcodexia varia Walker, was trapped mainly on open pasture. An abundance peak of O. varia was probably associated with the occurrence of a rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) outbreak in the study area. Overall abundance of flies varied according to habitat and species, and species numbers differed between seasons and years. The all-day minimum temperature 3 weeks before trapping was a significant variable in all models of fly abundance, whereas average rainfall did not affect fly abundance. The all-day temperature range was significant only for O. varia. The influence of other climatic factors varied between fly species. Climate dependent variations in fly abundance may contribute to the risk of transmission of RHD, which occurred intermittently on the site during the study period.

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As part of an investigation into the potential unintended ecological impacts of transgenic trees, invertebrates were sampled from a field trial of transgenic Pinus radiata D. Don carrying the expressed antibiotic resistance marker gene neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) along with other genes known to affect reproductive development in plants and from nontransformed control trees. Invertebrate species abundance, richness, diversity, and composition were measured and compared among trees of five different transclones and nontransformed isogenic control trees. Invertebrates were sampled at six-monthly intervals over a period of 2 yr. In total, 19,162 individuals were collected comprising 279 invertebrate recognizable taxonomic units. Total invertebrate populations as well as populations of herbivorous lepidopteran larvae and Hemiptera were compared among transgenic and control trees. The results show that the transclones had no significant unintended influence on species abundance, richness, diversity, or composition for all populations investigated.

The genus Zorion Pascoe (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae), commonly known as flower longhorn beetle, is endemic to New Zealand where it is widely distributed on the main and some offshore islands. A taxonomic revision of Zorion adults is given, including a description and illustrations of the genus. The previously known species Z. batesi Sharp, Z. guttigerum (Westwood), Z. minutum (Fabricius), and Z. opacum Sharp are redescribed; Z. castum Broun is synonymised with Z.guttigerum. Lectotypes are designated here for Z. guttigerum and Z. opacum. Six new species are described, Z. angustifasciatum sp. nov. from Three Kings Islands, Z. australe sp. nov. from South Island, Z. dugdalei sp. nov. from Poor Knights Island, Z. kaikouraiensis sp. nov. from the Kaikoura region, Z. nonmaculatum sp. nov. from D’Urville Islands, and Z. taranakiensis sp. nov. from the Taranaki region. The species Z. exiguum Gmelin has been excluded from the study because neither the original description nor the holotype could be located. A key to all ten species is included and diagnostic elytral spot patterns are illustrated. Biological information presented is based on publications, collecting records and our observations. A distribution map for all species is included and species distribution is discussed in relation to New Zealand’s biogeographical history.