Biocontrol introduction

Target pests:

Aspidiotus nerii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), oleander scale
Hemiberlesia lataniae (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), lantana scale
Hemiberlesia rapax (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), greedy scale

Agent introduced: Chilocorus infernalis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Imported: 1988

Import source: Israel

Import notes: Charles et al. (1995) - 100 laboratory colony-reared adults imported with various species of Diaspididae for food.

Released: 1988-1993

Release details: Charles et al. (1995) - 1,538 individuals released at one site in Whangarei (Northland), 522 at one site in Auckland, 300 at one site in Tauranga (Bay of Plenty), 386 at one site in Te Puke (Bay of Plenty), 2,194 at one site in Gisborne (Poverty Bay) and 1050 at three sites in Nelson. Released into scale-infested shelterbelt trees and/or woody weeds adjacent to kiwifruit blocks. Most were released as adults, but some of the first releases were eggs and larvae.

Establishment: Charles et al. (1995) - two adults were observed by a grower in Gisborne in November 1989, eight months after release, but all sites were surveyed in 1993 and no C. infernalis were recovered, suggesting this species has not established. However, adults may have dispersed widely upon release and established beyond the areas searched.

References

Charles JG, Hill MG and Allan DJ (1995). Releases and recoveries of Chilocorus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Hemisarcoptes spp. (Acari: Hemisarcoptidae) in kiwifruit orchards: 1987-93. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 22: 319-324