Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Coleophora spissicornis (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae), banded clover casebearer

Agent introduced: Bracon osculator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Imported:

1952, 1955?

Import source:

Near Montmédy, France

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Bracon osculator was imported in 1952 as parasitised Coleophora trifolii host larvae collected near Montmédy, France. Approximately 100 adult wasps emerged and were released. A 1955 importation of 5,000 parasitised C. trifolii from Montmédy also contained some B. osculator. The five females and two males which emerged were destroyed after failing to parasitise New Zealand Coleophora. After a limited number of specimens were examined, there was some doubt that the species imported in 1955 was in fact B. osculator.

Released:

Late-1952 or early-1953

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - approximately 100 adults that had emerged from imported hosts were released near Nelson, South Island in late-December 1952 (1953?), at a time suitable hosts would have been available in the field. A further several hundred host larval cases containing parasitised larvae [apparently a mix of locally-collected Coleophora spp. and unemerged C. trifolii from the August 1952 importation] were placed in the field in March 1953; some of these would have contained B. osculator.

Establishment:

Cameron et al. (1989) - there have been no recoveries of B. osculator.

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.