Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), tomato fruitworm

Agent introduced: Campoletis chlorideae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) = Ecphoropsis perdistinctus

Imported:

1969

Import source:

India

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Campoletis chlorideae was imported (as Ecphoropsis perdistinctus) 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) - 81 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 C. chlorideae.

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.