Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Coleophora frischella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) = Coleophora trifolii, white tipped clover casebearer

Agent introduced: Scambus brevicornis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) = Ephialtes brevicornis

Imported:

1952, 1955

Import source:

Near Montmédy, France

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Scambus brevicornis was imported in August 1952 as parasitised Coleophora trifolii host larvae collected near Montmédy, France. No hosts were available for emerging wasps and hibernating Coleophora spp. larvae were collected from the field for them. These were included in the unemerged material [presumably along with originally imported C. trifolii - in all several hundred host larval cases, presumably including S. brevicornis-parasitised individuals] placed in the field in March 1953. From a 1955 importation of 5,000 parasitised C. trifolii from Montmédy, seven female and six male S. brevicornis emerged; some of these were used to initiate a laboratory colony on Plutella xylostella, but there were no releases from this importation.

Released:

1953

Release details:

Cameron et al. (1989) - in March 1953 several hundred parasitised Coleophora spp. [apparently a mix of locally-collected Coleophora spp. and imported C. trifolii - see Cameron et al. (1989) entry in the 'Import notes' section] containing S. brevicornis (amongst other species) were released, probably near Nelson.

Establishment:

Cameron et al. (1989) - there have been no recoveries of S. brevicornis.

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.