Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Echium plantagineum (Boraginales: Boraginaceae), Paterson's curse

Agent introduced: Dialectica scalariella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), echium leaf miner

Release details:

Fowler et al. (2000) - self-introduced. Accidental arrival from Australia, where it was released against E. plantagineum in 1988.

Establishment:

Landcare Research (2011b) - becoming common on several Echium species in New Zealand.

Impacts on target:

Landcare Research (2011b) - has little impact in Australia; impact in New Zealand unknown.

Impacts on non-targets:

Fowler et al. (2000) - has attacked ornamental Echium spp., Myosotis spp., Borago sp., Cynoglossum sp. and Symphytum sp. in New Zealand. The damage can be substantial. These hosts would have been anticipated pre-release had D. scalariella been deliberately released.

References

Fowler SV, Syrett P, Hill RL. (2000). Success and safety in the biological control of environmental weeds in New Zealand. Austral Ecology 25: 553–562

Landcare Research (2011b). Biocontrol agents for weeds in New Zealand. Landcare Research website https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/uploads/public/Discover-Our-Research/Biosecurity/Biocontrol-ecology-of-weeds/biocontrol_agents_reference_2011.pdf