Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), tomato fruitworm
Agent introduced: Palexorista laxa (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Imported:
1969
Import source:
India
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - Palexorista laxa was imported from the Indian Station of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control in 1969. It was reared on H. armigera and used in a brief release programme late in the season.
Released: 1969?, 1970? [see Cameron et al. (1989) entry in the 'Release details' section]
Release details:
Cameron et al. (1989) - 244 individuals were released [location not specified] late in the season. [Presumably ‘late in the season’ meant late-summer/early-autumn, but it is not clear from the report whether this was 1969 or 1970, as it is not stated when in 1969 the importation from India occurred - see Cameron et al. (1989) entry in 'Import notes' section.]
Establishment:
Cameron et al. (1989) - there have been no recoveries of P. laxa.
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.