NZ flora

Odd, sometimes, the serendipity of a group list this.  I had a meeting with
Dr. Raabe,  the leading Emeritus prof of plant pathology at UC Berkeley
Friday am.  Among other things we were discussing the bacterial disease,
fireblight (*Erwinia amylovora*).  I'd read an australian article on the
disease commenting on the fact that this disease, which is spread by bees
and primarily attacks pear trees, had never been a significant problem in
NZ despite the fact that the organism was present, there were plenty of
hosts(pears and other roseaceous stock) and conditions were almost
identical to California, where the disease is a big problem with severe
outbreaks every time we have warm, moist spring conditions.

The aussie article had discussed a theory that the E.a. was crowded out of
the flower petals(where it grows) by another bacteria, E.herbivore.  Baah,
says Dr. Raabe, they probably just don't have very many bees in NZ.  I was
skeptical;  it couldn't be that simple(thinks I).

So I go home after the meeting and check my email and there is the message
about NZ flora and fauna that offhandedly mentions, 'we don't have many
bees here in NZ'.

My apologies for doubting the venerable professor.
Jerry Heverly, Oakland, CA
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index