Biocontrol introduction

Target pests:

Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), red gum lerp
Glycaspis granulata (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), sugary lerp

Agent introduced: Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) = Psyllaephagus quadricyclus

Imported:

Withers (2001) - accidental introduction. First detected in New Zealand in May 2000 parasitising G. granulata.

Impacts on target:

Scion (2017) - Glycaspis granulata is attacked in New Zealand by Psyllaephagus bliteus. This parasitoid has been introduced into multiple countries to control G. brimblecombei with variable success. There is a high likelihood that this parasitoid will be effective in New Zealand against both these hosts.

General comments:

Scion (2017) - the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei, is now established in New Zealand. The psyllid was originally detected on 5-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis in northern Canterbury in early-winter 2017.

References

Scion (2017). New eucalypt feeding insect established in New Zealand. Forest Health News No. 277, November 2017 https://cdm20044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p20044coll2/id/202/rec/171

Withers TM (2001). Colonization of eucalypts in New Zealand by Australian insects. Austral Ecology 26: 467-476 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9993.2001.01140.x