Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Jacobaea vulgaris (Asterales: Asteraceae) = Senecio jacobaea, ragwort
Agent introduced: Botanophila seneciella (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) = Pegohylemyia seneciella
Imported:
1928-1939
Import source:
England
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - imported as puparia along with the seedfly Botanophila jacobaeae.
Released:
1936-1940
Release details:
Cameron et al. (1989), Gourlay (2007) - assumed to have been released along with B. jacobaeae at Nelson and a number of North Island sites.
Establishment:
Cameron et al. (1989), Gourlay (2007) - did not establish.
Harman (1999) - a lack of synchrony of the fly's life stages with those of the host plant, i.e. a lack of oviposition sites for emerging adults, may explain why B. seneciella failed to establish in New Zealand.
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.
Gourlay H (2007d). Ragwort Seedfly. In the Biological Control of Weeds Book (Landcare Research) https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/discover-our-research/biosecurity/weed-management/using-biocontrol/the-biological-control-of-weeds-book/
Harman HM. (1999). The effect of variability in the phenology of the reproductive stages of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) on the synchronization of the life stages of broom seed beetle (Bruchidius villosus) in New Zealand. Biological Control 15: 228–234 https://doi.org/10.1006/bcon.1999.0715
