Rotorua Canopy Tours’ conservation efforts are resulting in “a boom” in native insects

In a statement, Rotorua Canopy Tours managing director Paul Button said the research showed his conservation work helped “every element of our native ecosystem”, from the largest native birds to our smallest native insects .

“When people think of conservation they often think of birds or ferns. Although our native bugs don’t get as much attention, they are just as important to our ecosystem.

“Seeing the beetle population thrive makes us really proud, as it’s just another sign of the ecosystem’s healthy response to our conservation efforts.”

The research involved collecting and classifying various bugs and beetles. It also recorded at least 10 unnamed native beetle species and the presence of the native pseudoscorpion (a native scorpion-like insect that lacks a stinging tail).

Button said the business was dedicated to ecotourism – a branch of the tourism industry that aims to protect and improve the environment in which it operates.

“We all know our birds are better off without predators around, but research like this shows how deep in the food chain the impacts are felt; from the forest canopies to the beetles below.”

At least 2,500 rats and 200 opossums were caught annually in Rotorua Canopy Tours’ 800 traps, allowing the resurgence of the undergrowth and the insects that live beneath them, the release said.

“Seeing the forest return to good health has been an incredible pleasure and privilege. Our pest control not only protects our birds and bats, it also gives creepy crawlies a chance to thrive,” Button said.

The Scion Research report found that this commitment to trapping meant the beetle population in the Dansey Rd bush area was almost double that of other native bush sites in the North Island.

Research entomologist Carl Wardhaugh said the evidence pointed to the positive impact of pest control on insect populations.

“This is just one of many key ways we’re seeing our nature come back when it’s given a helping hand by local conservationists.”

Last year, Rotorua Canopy Tours was ranked number one for top experiences in the South Pacific for 2023 by Tripadvisor. International superstar Sam Smith also visited the attraction last year.