Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), sirex wood wasp

Agent introduced: Rhyssa persuasoria himalayensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Imported:

1963, 1964, 1965

Import source:

India (1963, 1964, 1965), Pakistan (1963)

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - in 1963, four male and four female adults, 32 male and four female pupae, and 393 larvae of R. himalayensis were sent to New Zealand from the Pakistan station of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control. A total of 139 adults were reared (91 males and 48 females of which 16 had deformed ovipositors). Also in 1963, 30 adult females were received from the CIBC station in Srinagar, India. These together with the Pakistan specimens were used for insectary oviposition and the first progeny emerged in March 1964. Further adults arrived from India in 1964 (60 males, 239 females) and 1965 (2 males, 186 females); 44 females from the 1964 importation were released directly into the field and all other individuals used for insectary rearing. Insectary culturing for releases ceased in 1970.

Released:

1964

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - forty-four females imported from India in 1964 were released at Waipoua (Northland, North Island). Releases from an insectary colony, which was discontinued in 1970, were made at Russell (Northland) in the North Island and Ashley (North Canterbury), Herbert (south of Oamaru) and Naseby (Central Otago) in the South Island.

Establishment:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Rhyssa persuasoria himalayensis has never been recovered from the field, but may have interbreed with the established R. p. persuasoria and its recognisable markings lost in the progeny.

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.