Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Agent introduced: Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), seven-spot ladybird
Imported:
1970-73, 1975-76, late-1970s (accidental importations)
Import source:
Pakistan (1970-73), Austria (1975-76), Europe (late-1970s - accidental importations)
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - during the period 1970-73, major consignments of C. septempunctata, totalling several thousand adults, were received into quarantine at Lincoln, Canterbury from the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control Pakistan Station. Imported individuals were subsequently released. In 1975 and 1976, field-collected populations of C. septempunctata were imported into quarantine from Austria and were subsequently laboratory-reared and the offspring released. In the late-1970s, hibernating aggregations of C. septempunctata were intercepted on machinery parts brought into New Zealand from Europe, but attempts to establish permanent breeding populations from these failed.
Released:
1970
Release details:
Cameron et al. (1989) - thousands of adults imported from Pakistan 1970-73 were released at Lincoln, Canterbury, South Island in field cages onto aphid-infested brassicas. They were also released at other sites in Canterbury and elsewhere. Hundreds of offspring of individuals imported from Austria 1975-76 were released at ‘various’ sites.
Establishment:
Cameron et al. (1989) - C. septempunctata established temporarily at release sites in Canterbury and elsewhere from the 1970-73 releases, but failed to survive more than one or two generations in the field. No establishment occurred from the 1975-76 releases.
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.
