Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), tomato fruitworm

Agent introduced: Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) = Glabromicroplitis croceipes

Imported:

1986

Import source:

Mississippi, USA

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Microplitis croceipes was first imported from the United States Department of Agriculture at Stoneville, Mississippi in 1986. It is the most successful and wide-ranging parasitoid of Helicoverpa and Heliothis species in the USA and has been successfully reared on Helicoverpa armigera in New Zealand.

Released:

1987

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - released commenced in January 1987 in Auckland, Gisborne (Poverty Bay) and Hastings (Hawke’s Bay) in the North Island.

Establishment:

Cameron et al. (1989) - minor recoveries have been made in each of the release areas (Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay).

Impacts on target:

Cameron et al. (1993) - Microplitis croceipes, in conjunction with Cotesia kazak [see the C. kazak introduction entry], is categorised as exerting “partial” control (defined as “additional control remains commonly necessary but…pest outbreaks occur less frequently”) over Helicoverpa armigera. In tomato crops the establishment of these parasitoids of H. armigera has allowed the development of IPM (integrated pest management) programmes that have decreased the need for insecticide spraying.

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.

Cameron PJ, Hill RL, Bain J, Thomas WP (1993). Analysis of importations for biological control of insect pests and weeds in New Zealand. Biocontrol Science and Technology 3(4): 387-404