scholarly journals Parasitism by Microctonus aethiopoides on a novel host Listronotus bonariensis in Canterbury pastures

2002 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 280-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
J.M. Kean ◽  
S.L. Goldson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Natural Host ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Novel Host ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

The parasitoids Microctonus aethiopoides and M hyperodae have been introduced as biological control agents against Sitona discoideus and Argentine stem weevil Listronotus bonariensis respectively Collections from ryegrass/white clover pastures in midCanterbury found that M aethiopoides was widespread in L bonariensis despite the weevil being a novel host Microctonus aethiopoides was recovered from 83 of the 65 sites sampled in Canterbury with parasitism rates of 0419 Studies in lucerne crops showed that M aethiopoides preferentially parasitised its natural host S discoideus although in some cases up to 10 of L bonariensis found in the lucerne were parasitised A possible reason for the prevalence of M aethiopoides in Canterbury pasture was that the widelydispersive flights of S discoideus from aestivation sites provided a source for reinfection of the parasitoid into ryegrass pasture Analysis of field parasitism suggested that parasitism of L bonariensis by M aethiopoides was negatively correlated with parasitism by M hyperodae

Evaluation and host specificity of two seed flies Mesoclanis polana and M. magnipalpis (Diptera: Tephritidae): biological control agents for Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Asteraceae) in Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Adair ◽  
A. Bruzzese
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
South African ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Natural Host ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
The South ◽  
Developing Seeds ◽  
Complete Development ◽  
Economic Significance

AbstractLarvae of the South African tephritid flies Mesoclanis polana Munro and M. magnipalpis Bezzi feed in the developing seeds of Chrysanthemoides monilifera. Host specificity evaluation using 109 plant species from 25 families indicated that complete development was restricted to their natural host C. monilifera. Minor feeding and limited development was detected on 18 species, but was of no ecological or economic significance. Mesoclanis polana and M. magnipalpis have been released in Australia and M. polana has established and dispersed widely. Mesoclanis magnipalpis has not yet become naturalized. Parasitism of M. polana in Australia by several species of Hymenoptera has been detected, but is not expected to limit the establishment and impact of these flies.

scholarly journals Importation to New Zealand quarantine of a candidate biological control agent of clover root weevil

2001 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Goldson ◽  
C. Phillips ◽  
M.M. McNeill ◽  
J.R Proffitt ◽  
R.P. Cane
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

Several candidate biological control agents of Sitona lepidus have been identified since a search commenced in 1997 Interestingly Microctonus aethiopoides from Europe is a much more effective parasitoid of S lepidus than the M aethiopoides ecotype already established in New Zealand To assess further the suitability of the European M aethiopoides for biological control of S lepidus 1599 infected S lepidus were shipped to New Zealand quarantine during late 2000 These yielded 267 parasitoid pupae from which 204 adult parasitoids were reared This material was obtained from a wide geographical range in Europe and has been used to establish cultures in New Zealand quarantine based on genetic material from France England Norway Finland Romania Ireland Scotland Italy and Wales This contribution presents an overview of the work associated with the importation of the parasitoids and the effort now being made to maintain genetic diversity Planned research is also discussed

scholarly journals Ploidy in Lolium spp. cultivars affects Argentine stem weevil parasitism by Microctonus hyperodae

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Tomasetto ◽  
O. Olaniyan ◽  
S.L. Goldson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Laboratory Study ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Microctonus Hyperodae

A laboratory study was conducted to: (1) advance earlier work to determine the susceptibility of Listronotus bonariensis (Argentine stem weevil) to its parasitoid biological control agent, Microctonus hyperodae, in the presence of diploid ryegrasses such as Lolium multiflorum or Lolium perenne; and (2) determine whether or not plant orientation (i.e. horizontal vs. vertical) had any effect on parasitism rates. No significant differences in parasitism rates were found in the Listronotus bonariensis populations in the two grasses. However, combining and analysing these data with those from an earlier experiment conducted in the same way showed that parasitism rates were significantly lower in diploid Lolium multiflorum cultivars than in tetraploid Lolium multiflorum. This is the first clear evidence of a ploidy effect on parasitism rates in the presence of Lolium multiflorum. Tetraploid Lolium multiflorum has fewer, more robust and larger tillers than the diploid Lolium spp. so higher parasitism rates may be related to the lack of hiding places for an evasive genetically-driven behaviourally-based resistance by Listronotus bonariensis.

scholarly journals Intensified agriculture favors evolved resistance to biological control

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (15) ◽  
pp. 3885-3890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Tomasetto ◽  
Jason M. Tylianakis ◽  
Marco Reale ◽  
Steve Wratten ◽  
Stephen L. Goldson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Genetic Barriers ◽  
Evolution Of Resistance ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis

Increased regulation of chemical pesticides and rapid evolution of pesticide resistance have increased calls for sustainable pest management. Biological control offers sustainable pest suppression, partly because evolution of resistance to predators and parasitoids is prevented by several factors (e.g., spatial or temporal refuges from attacks, reciprocal evolution by control agents, and contrasting selection pressures from other enemy species). However, evolution of resistance may become more probable as agricultural intensification reduces the availability of refuges and diversity of enemy species, or if control agents have genetic barriers to evolution. Here we use 21 y of field data from 196 sites across New Zealand to show that parasitism of a key pasture pest (Listronotus bonariensis; Argentine stem weevil) by an introduced parasitoid (Microctonus hyperodae) was initially nationally successful but then declined by 44% (leading to pasture damage of c. 160 million New Zealand dollars per annum). This decline was not attributable to parasitoid numbers released, elevation, or local climatic variables at sample locations. Rather, in all locations the decline began 7 y (14 host generations) following parasitoid introduction, despite releases being staggered across locations in different years. Finally, we demonstrate experimentally that declining parasitism rates occurred in ryegrass Lolium perenne, which is grown nationwide in high-intensity was significantly less than in adjacent plots of a less-common pasture grass (Lolium multiflorum), indicating that resistance to parasitism is host plant–dependent. We conclude that low plant and enemy biodiversity in intensive large-scale agriculture may facilitate the evolution of host resistance by pests and threaten the long-term viability of biological control.

scholarly journals A simple PCRRFLP method to distinguish between species and strains of Microctonus parasitoids found in New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 186-191
Author(s):  
C.J. Vink
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Fragment Length Polymorphism ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Restriction Fragment Length

Two strains of the hymenopteran parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides have been released in New Zealand for the biological control of Sitona weevil species One attacks Sitona discoideus a pest of lucerne and the other attacks Sitona lepidus a pest of clover Two other Microctonus species also attack weevils in pasture; M hyperodae was released for the biological control of Listronotus bonariensis and the native M zealandicus attacks Irenimus spp These Microctonus species can attack nontarget weevil hosts and the identification of the larvae of the different Microctonus species and the separation of adults of M aethiopoides strains can only be achieved by molecular methods This paper describes a simple polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) method for distinguishing between the two M aethiopoides strains M hyperodae and M zealandicus This PCRRFLP method requires minimal molecular equipment and is cheaper and/or faster than other molecular methods

scholarly journals Response to clover root weevil outbreaks in South Canterbury, Otago and Southland; the agricultural sector and government working together

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hardwick ◽  
C.M. Ferguson ◽  
P. Mccauley ◽  
W. Nichol ◽  
R. Kyte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

Clover root weevil was first discovered in the northern South Island in 2006, and an introduced biocontrol agent the parasitoid wasp Microctonus aethiopoides, was immediately released there in response. As the weevil spread southwards, ongoing releases and natural parasitoid dispersal generally supressed it to economically tolerable levels. However, mild winters in the southern South Island during 2013 and 2014 allowed weevil populations to grow and spread quicker than the parasitoid. This severely impacted white clover production and farm profitability in parts of South Canterbury, Otago and Southland, thus, scientists and industry conducted 18 months of intensive parasitoid releases of ca. 1.1 million parasitised weevils at 6000 sites. The parasitoid rapidly established at all 50 monitored release sites and dispersed from them. The biocontrol agent now occurs at all locations in South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and elsewhere in New Zealand, where clover root weevil is present. Keywords: biological control, pest spread, parasitic wasp, Sitona obsoletus, Microctonus aethiopoides, South Canterbury, Southland, Otago

scholarly journals lepidus Economic benefits of biological control of Sitona obsoletus (clover root weevil) in Southland pasture

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 218-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Basse ◽  
C.B. Phillips ◽  
S. Hardwick ◽  
J.M. Kean
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Parasitic Wasp ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Parameter Values

Sitona obsoletus is a serious pasture pest in New Zealand where its rootfeeding larvae reduce white clover cover and nitrogen fixation To maintain production farmers may compensate by increasing inputs The parasitic wasp Microctonus aethiopoides Loan was introduced for biological control of S obsoletus and achieved parasitism rates exceeding 70 In Southland where S obsoletus was first detected in 2010 unusually severe and prolonged infestations during 2013 and 2014 prompted intensive biological control releases in 2014 and 2015 This study evaluated if they were cost effective in 2015 On dairy farms biological control returned 1478/ha/year or 23 million over the 158017 ha On sheep and beef farms the estimated return was 686/ha/year or 47 million over 719854 ha Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate returns (/ha/year) using plausible ranges of model parameter values and returns were positive in at least 975 of simulations Biological control of S obsoletus has returned a net benefit in Southland

scholarly journals Biological control of pastoral pests using Acremonium spp. endophytes

1994 ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Prestidge ◽  
A.J. Popay ◽  
O.J-P Ball
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Insect Feeding ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Costelytra Zealandica ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis

Although the role of the endophytic fungus Acremonium lolii in protecting the host plant from attack by insect pests, particularly Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis), is often described in terms of plant resistance, it is a case of classical biological control. Endophytes in commercially available perennial ryegrass cultivars are acting as biological control agents against at least four pest species in New Zealand. Generally, endophyte adversely affects insect stages that feed on the above-ground parts of the plant, particularly those stages that feed near the base of the plant. It is apparent from insect feeding tests that there is no one universal anti-insect metabolite that will adversely affect all pest populations. It is therefore likely that an endophytelgrass combination that produces a cocktail of metabolites at low concentrations may be more useful than a combination that produces a very narrow suite of metabolites. Keywords: Acremonium spp., Listronotus bonariensis, Heteronychus arator, Costelytra zealandica, Wiseana spp., biological control, endophyte

Yellow Brazilian Pepper-tree Leaf Galler (suggested common name) Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt (Insecta: Hemiptera: Calophyidae: Calophyinae)

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Cuda ◽  
Patricia Prade ◽  
Carey R. Minteer-Killian
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
North America ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Pepper Tree ◽  
Brazilian Pepper ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Tree Leaf

In the late 1970s, Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), was targeted for classical biological control in Florida because its invasive properties (see Host Plants) are consistent with escape from natural enemies (Williams 1954), and there are no native Schinus spp. in North America. The lack of native close relatives should minimize the risk of damage to non-target plants from introduced biological control agents (Pemberton 2000). [...]

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