Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Agent introduced: Chrysopa sp. 2 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Imported:
1925, 1927
Import source:
British Columbia, Canada
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - in December 1925, a consignment of 1,910 hibernating adults of Chrysopa sp. 2 were received at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson from the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Approximately 600 of the survivors were kept for breeding purposes and the rest released. A second consignment was received in January 1927. From the 535 survivors more than 1,000 eggs were obtained; 250 of these were sent to Christchurch for release, the remainder caged on wild cotton plants in Nelson. Few adults were produced in the first generation, most of the eggs produced were infertile and the colony was lost.
Released:
1925
Release details:
Cameron et al. (1989) - of the hibernating adults imported in December 1925, 650 were released in Nelson, South Island and 650 in Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island. Several hundred adults reared from the imported material were released [presumably in 1926] at Nelson and Wakefield [near Nelson]. Two hundred and fifty eggs from adults imported in January 1927 were released on aphid-infested oak trees in Christchurch.
Establishment:
Cameron et al. (1989) - Chrysopa sp. 2 did not establish.
General comments:
Cameron et al. (1989) - of the large number of exotic aphids present in New Zealand, five important field and fruit crop species were initially considered as the targets for biocontrol in the second phase (from 1965) of introductions of beneficial insects, although it is recognised that many other species which attack host plants in New Zealand can be of sporadic or regional importance. Those five species are: Brevicoryne brassicae [cabbage aphid], Myzus persicae [green peach aphid], Rhopalosiphum padi [bird cherry-oat aphid], Sitobion miscanthi [Indian grain aphid] and Macrosiphum euphorbiae [potato aphid]. [Aphid pests that have been targeted by specific biocontrol agents in New Zealand are: Acyrthosiphon kondoi (bluegreen lucerne aphid), Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) Cavariella aegopodii (carrot-willow aphid), Eriosoma lanigerum (woolly apple aphid), Hyperomyzus lactucae (sowthistle aphid) Metopolophium dirhodum (rose-grain aphid), Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), Therioaphis trifolii (spotted alfalfa aphid), Tuberculatus annulatus (oak aphid) and Tuberolachnus salignus (giant willow aphid). See the introduction records for these target species for details.]
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.
