Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), hessian fly

Agent introduced: Eupelmus messene (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) = Macroneura vesicularis (Retzius)

Impacts on non-targets:

Kaur et al. (2024) - Eupelmus messene, along with Bracon variegator and Pteramalus puparum [biocontrol agents introduced against clover casebearing moths (Coleophora frischella and C. spissicornis) and Pieris rapae (cabbage white butterfly), respectively], has been found associated with fourth instars of the Coleophora deauratella collected from two red clover seed fields in New Zealand. Coleophora deauratella (red-clover casebearer moth) is an invasive pest first detected in New Zealand in 2016 and responsible for red clover seed losses of 80-99.5% in mid-Canterbury in the growing season of 2016-17. However, C. deauratella populations have declined since 2018; the actions of these biocontrol agents may have contributed to this, along with other possible factors such as mechanical crop management practices, climate and C. deauratella population genetics.

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.

Kaur N, Anderson NP, Dorman SJ, Walenta DL, Donovan BC, Tanner C, Mori BA, Otani J, Sim RE, Rolston P, Faulkner J (2024). Biology and management of Coleophora deauratella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) in red clover seed-growing regions in North America and New Zealand. Journal of Integrated Pest Management Volume 15, Issue 1, 2024, 10 https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae002