Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Paropsis charybdis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), eucalyptus tortoise beetle
Agent introduced: Froggattimyia tillyardi (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Imported:
1934?, 1935?, 1964?, 1973-74, 1974-75
Import source:
Australia
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - in February 1934 a small number of late instar larvae of various Paropsis species were imported from, Australia, which yielded ‘a quantity of tachinid puparia’. In March 1934, 24 tachinid puparia were received from Australia, and another 29 in January 1935. Apparently two distinct species were present in all three consignments. A number of tachinids were reared but there were no field releases. In February 1964 a small consignment of Froggattimyia spp. pupae, bred from Chrysophtharta bimaculata was received from Canberra, Australia; they were heavily hyperparasitised and it is not recorded if any tachinids emerged. During the summer of 1973-74, 5,435 tachinid puparia were imported; 58% yielded insects of which just over half were tachinids (the rest being hyperparasitoids), mostly Froggattimyia tillyardi with a few Paropsivora sp. About 8,000 P. Charybdis larvae were exposed to the tachinids but only three F1 flies resulted. No releases were made. In the 1974-75 season 10,632 tachinid pupae were received from Australia; 70% yielded insects of which two-thirds were tachinids (the rest being hyperparasitoids), nearly all Froggattimyia tillyardi plus a few Paropsivora sp. Over 10,000 Paropsis larvae were exposed to the tachinids but only 49 F1 flies resulted.
Released:
1975
Release details:
Cameron et al. (1989) - in 1975 F. tillyardi adults that had emerged from imported pupae were released at the Whakamaru Forest Block (south of Tokoroa, North Island); 480 individuals were released in January, 225 in February.
Establishment:
Cameron et al. (1989) - did not establish. Sampling at the release site in the spring and summer following the release of F. tillyardi (i.e., 1975-76) and rearing of the very many P. charybdis larvae collected from this and other localities over the past 10 years has not yielded any F. tillyardi.
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.
