Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Acaena anserinifolia (Rosales: Rosaceae), piripiri

Agent introduced: Antholcus varinervis (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae)

General comments:

Smith (1973) - in the 1920s, an Acaena-feeding sawfly was found in Chile and imported into New Zealand in 1928 under the name Antholcus varinervis as a biocontrol agent. However, it is evident from the description of A. varinervis by Spinola, the author of the species, that it is not the Acaena-feeding sawfly introduced to New Zealand. The sawfly imported into New Zealand represents a new genus and species and is described here as Ucona acaenae.

See Ucona acaenae entry for details of its introduction.

References

Smith DR (1973). Sawflies of Chile: a new genus and species and key to genera of Tenthredinidae (Hymenoptera: Symphyta). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 75(4): 402-408 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Smith-38/publication/260798492_Sawflies_of_Chile_A_new_genus_and_species_and_key_to_genera_of_Tenthredinidae_Hymenoptera_Symphyta/links/5602b9f608ae849b3c0e52a5/Sawflies-of-Chile-A-new-genus-and-species-and-key-to-genera-of-Tenthredinidae-Hymenoptera-Symphyta.pdf

Valentine EW (1970). A list of the phytophagous Hymenoptera in New Zealand New Zealand Entomologist: 4(4) 52-52