Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Coleophora frischella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) = Coleophora trifolii, white tipped clover casebearer

Agent introduced: Casinaria sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) = Horogenes sp.

Imported:

1962, 1969

Import source:

1962 Avignon, France via Delémont, Switzerland; 1969 near Freiburg, Germany

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Casinaria sp. was imported as parasitised Coleophora spp. host larvae. A shipment of C. frischella larvae from Avignon, France in November 1962 contained about 80 Casinaria sp. Three males (which were preserved for reference) emerged prior to the shipment being destroyed because of an infestation of the mite Pyemotes zwoelferia. A 1969 shipment of C. deauratella from near Freiburg, Germany contained an estimated 450 Casinaria sp. There is no record of the numbers that emerged, but a ‘small number’ of parasitised host larvae were released.

Released:

1969

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - in 1969 a ‘small number of Casinaria’ sp.-parasitised host larvae were released at Appleby near Nelson, South Island.

Establishment:

Cameron et al. (1989) - there have been no recoveries of Casinaria sp.

References

Cameron PJ, Hill RL, Bain J, Thomas WP (1989). A Review of Biological Control of Invertebrate Pests and Weeds in New Zealand 1874-1987. Technical Communication No 10. CAB International Institute of Biological Control. DSIR Entomology Division. 424p.