Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Agent introduced: Coccinella transversalis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) = Coccinella repanda, small transverse ladybird
Imported:
1978
Import source:
Victoria, Australia
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - in September 1978, 96 C. transversalis [as Coccinella repanda - see taxonomic note in ‘General comments’ section] were received at Lincoln, Canterbury from Victoria, Australia. Some adults were lost to cannibalism but most arrived in apparently healthy condition. However, during rearing in quarantine high levels of mortality accompanied the emergence of the parasitoid Dinocampus coccinellae. Few first generation offspring were obtained because of rearing problems and an unidentified mortality factor destroyed virtually the whole of the fourth generation offspring (over 400) in quarantine and none were released.
Released:
Cameron et al. (1989) - not released.
General comments:
Cameron et al. (1989) - of the large number of exotic aphids present in New Zealand, five important field and fruit crop species were initially considered as the targets for biocontrol in the second phase (from 1965) of introductions of beneficial insects, although it is recognised that many other species which attack host plants in New Zealand can be of sporadic or regional importance. Those five species are: Brevicoryne brassicae [cabbage aphid], Myzus persicae [green peach aphid], Rhopalosiphum padi [bird cherry-oat aphid], Sitobion miscanthi [Indian grain aphid] and Macrosiphum euphorbiae [potato aphid]. [Aphid pests that have been targeted by specific biocontrol agents in New Zealand are: Acyrthosiphon kondoi (bluegreen lucerne aphid), Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) Cavariella aegopodii (carrot-willow aphid), Eriosoma lanigerum (woolly apple aphid), Hyperomyzus lactucae (sowthistle aphid) Metopolophium dirhodum (rose-grain aphid), Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), Therioaphis trifolii (spotted alfalfa aphid), Tuberculatus annulatus (oak aphid) and Tuberolachnus salignus (giant willow aphid). See the introduction records for these target species for details.]
Taxonomic note (29 March 2023) - although the name Coccinella repanda Thunberg has been used quite frequently as the valid name for this species, there is no doubt that Fabricius's description of the species as Coccinella transversalis appeared in print several months before Thunberg's publication (Pope 1988).
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.
Pope RD (1988). A revision of the Australian Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). Part 1. Subfamily Coccinellinae. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(5): 633-735
