Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Ulex europaeus (Fabales: Fabaceae), gorse

Agent introduced: Cydia succedana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), gorse pod moth

General comments:

Gorse pod moth was introduced to New Zealand under the name Cydia succedana, though information in Paynter et al. (2008) suggests the species introduced was C. ulicetana [see Paynter et al. (2008) entry below]. Consequently, all information regarding the introduction of gorse pod moth is recorded in the Cydia ulicetana introduction entry.

Paynter et al. (2008) - Danilevsky and Kuznetzov (1968) recognized C. succedana (Denis and Schiffermüller) and C. ulicetana (Haworth) as separate species. However, many authorities considered C. ulicetana to be an inferior synonym of C. succedana at the time that gorse pod moth was cleared for release in New Zealand. It was, therefore, introduced into New Zealand under the name C. succedana. Since then, however, Razowski (2003) reinstated the separation between C. succedana and C. ulicetana. There is, consequently, uncertainty regarding the distributions and host-ranges of both species because many literature records do not distinguish between the two. According to this separation, only C. ulicetana occurs in the United Kingdom. It is conceivable that both may occur in Portugal, although only C. ulicetana is currently confirmed to be present there. [Gorse pod moth was sourced from both UK and Portugal for introduction to New Zealand.]

References

Paynter QE, Gourlay AH, Oboyski PT, Fowler SV, Hill RV, Withers TM, Parish H and Hona SR (2008). Why did specificity testing fail to predict the field host-range of the gorse pod moth in New Zealand? Biological Control 46: 453-462