Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), potato tuber moth

Agent introduced: Copidosoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Imported:

1966

Import source:

Northern Argentina and southern Brazil via India

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - between January and April 1966 there were three shipments of Copidosoma sp. from the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control station in India to Nelson, New Zealand, with all individuals being directly released. The Copidosoma sp. material had been originally sourced from northern Argentina and southern Brazil in 1963-64 and cultured at the Californian Station of CIBC; when this station closed, the colony was transferred to the Indian Station of CIBC, from where the 1966 shipments were made to New Zealand.

Released:

1966

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - approximate numbers released from the 1966 importations were 8,000 at Lincoln, Canterbury and Oamaru, North Otago, South Island (specific numbers at each site was not clear in the records) and 62,000 at Nelson, South Island.

Establishment:

Cameron et al. (1989) - sporadic examination of potato tubers and foliage at Oamaru, North Otago and Lincoln, Canterbury for P. opercullela parasitoids was undertaken between mid-1967 and late-1973; there are no records of Copidosoma sp. being detected. Surveys at Nelson after the 1969-70 releases of other P. opecullela parasitoids there did not record Copidosoma sp.

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.