Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Listronotus bonariensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Argentine stem weevil

Agent introduced: Unidentified (Hymenoptera?)

Imported:

1966

Import source:

San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - L. bonariensis parasitised by Heterospilus sp. were expected to arrive in New Zealand in January 1966 from collections made at San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. Although no Heterospilus were received, other parasitoids did emerge from this material. These were described as "large numbers of a very slender, pale parasite, a shorter rather darker species and two, possibly three, species of chalcidoids." It is not known if these parasitised L. bonariensis.

Released:

1966

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - a "couple of hundred" of the slender, pale species [see 'Import notes'] were liberated at Nelson in January 1966.

Establishment:

Barbara Barratt (2019 pers. comm.) - presumably this species has not established otherwise it would have been reared from L. bonariensis.

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.