Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), gum tree weevil

Agent introduced: Froggattimyia lasiophthalma (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Imported:

1934?

Import source:

Australia

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - in 1934 an enquiry was made about obtaining from Australia a tachinid parasitoid (undescribed at the time but later described as Froggattimyia lasiophthalma) of gum tree weevil larvae. A consignment of G. platensis [then considered to be G. scutellatus - see Mapondera et al. (2012) entry in the 'General comments' section] larvae (presumably parasitised) was received in Nelson from Australia and reported as arriving in good order in December 1934. There is no record of what, if anything, emerged from this importation or whether any further importations were attempted.

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - it is not recorded if any F. lasiophthalma were ever released.

General comments:

Mapondera et al. (2012) - the gum tree weevil, generally referred to as Gonipterus scutellatus Gyllenhal, 1833 is a significant pest of Eucalyptus species in Africa, America, Europe, New Zealand and Western Australia. [It is recorded in Cameron et al. (1989) as G. scutellatus.] Recent taxonomic study has indicated G. scutellatus to comprise a complex of cryptic species, obscuring the identity of the various pest populations of the weevil in the world. The pest species in New Zealand, America and western Europe was found to be G. platensis.

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.

Mapondera TS, Burgess T, Matsuki M, Oberprieler RG (2012). Identification and molecular phylogenetics of the cryptic species of the Gonipterus scutellatus complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Gonipterini). Australian Journal of Entomology 51: 175-188