Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Costelytra zealandica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), grass grub

Agent introduced: Pseudelaphroptera brevipilosa (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae)

Imported: 1965-1973

Import source: Argentina

Release details: 1965-205 released in Marlborough, 1966-12,130 released in Marlborough, Taupo and Nelson, 1967-9,339 released in Nelson, 1968-1,682 released in Nelson, 1970-717 released in Nelson, 1971-7,621 released in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Nelson, 1972-4,876 released in Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Nelson, 1973-165 released in Auckland and Bay of Plenty

Establishment: 45 males recovered, (by using tethered females) from grass grub caged in field and thynnine cocoons recovered from Graphognathus leucoloma larvae

Impacts on target: Not considered to have established

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.