Small beetles, big impact!

Last October, students from Wilson School covered their shoes in fungus and walked through Rosedale Park in a creative method of pest control.

The fungus targets tradescantia and stops its spread across the restoration site. Tradescantia is an invasive pest plant species that can smother native seedlings and quickly take over forest floors.

Now, the tradescantia project is moving into phase two.

Students from Wilson School are setting up a “Tradescantia Beetle Hotel” in their classroom, a controlled space for beetles to live and grow.

The aim is to increase the beetle population so they can later be released into areas of Rosedale Park where neither the fungus nor beetles are currently present, expanding the reach of biocontrol across the site.

With approval from MPI, Kaipātiki Project, and the Upper Harbour Local Board, the work is recognised as a practical and supported step toward long-term management of tradescantia.

This stage of the project creates more ways for students to take part. Those who are unable to access the steeper or more challenging areas of the restoration site are able to contribute from the classroom.

Instead of working in the field, they take on responsibility for caring for the beetles by feeding them, maintaining suitable conditions, and observing their activity over time.

Project Coordinator Nicky Shave says, “It also offers an opportunity to understand how we can support young people to take climate and conservation action in ways that reflect their strengths and promote their abilities.”

As the beetle population grows, the next step will be to release them into targeted areas of the park, supporting ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of tradescantia and restore native habitats.