scholarly journals Rationale for release of the Irish strain of Microctonus aethiopoides for biocontrol of clover root weevil

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 285-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
B.I.P. Barratt ◽  
S.A. Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Poor Efficacy

A European biotype of Microctonus aethiopoides was identified as the best candidate biocontrol agent for Sitona lepidus a serious New Zealand pasture pest A Moroccan biotype was already present throughout the country and hence there was no requirement to obtain Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act approval to release new biotypes However as research had shown mating between the two biotypes produced hybrids with poor efficacy against target hosts and that the Moroccan biotype attacked several native weevil genera serious reservations were held about introducing the European biotype Concerns were overcome with the identification of a parthenogenetic strain of European M aethiopoides from Ireland which has little risk of hybridisation and a narrower host range than the Moroccan biotype Following regulation of M aethiopoides as a risk species this strain was considered to be a new organism Approval was sought and gained under the HSNO Act to release the strain

scholarly journals Farmer response to minirelease strategy for the clover root weevil biocontrol agent

2010 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 283-283
Author(s):  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
T.M. Eden
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

The Irish wasp Microctonus aethiopoides was released in 2006 as a biocontrol agent for the clover root weevil Sitona lepidus a serious pest of white clover in New Zealand Following the successful and very rapid establishment of the Irish wasp there was high demand by farmers for the biocontrol Around 2000 minirelease samples were distributed directly to farmers through pastoral industry networks and field days These consisted of ten fieldcollected weevils exposed to the wasp in the laboratory at parasitism rates such that over 99 of samples contained parasitoids A random subsample of 100 recipient dairy farmers was surveyed subsequently by post with 59 responses The minireleases were well received most going to farmers that had previously experienced losses due to the weevil The mini releases were very effective in terms of getting the biocontrol to farms with 92 of insects arriving in good condition and 96 being released on the same day The farmers appeared receptive of the information provided with the samples indicating the project was successful in terms of technology transfer There was good recognition of DairyNZ with 79 showing awareness of the organisations funding enabling the biocontrol research

scholarly journals Distribution of the clover root weevil biocontrol agent in the North Island of New Zealand

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
T.M. Eden ◽  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
G. Burch
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
The North ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Training And Support

The Irish wasp Microctonus aethiopoides was released in 2006 as a biocontrol agent for the clover root weevil Sitona lepidus a serious pest of white clover in New Zealand Following successful establishment two strategies were implemented to accelerate the widespread establishment of the parasitoid throughout the North Island The first approach was the establishment of regional nursery sites that act as point sources for natural and assisted dispersal With the assistance of Regional Councils and major landowners these were set up at sites favourable to the wasp and local people were provided the training and support to undertake collections and distribution of parasitized weevils Secondly samples of parasitized weevils were distributed for release directly to farmers through pastoral industry networks and events Initial results indicate that while the parasitoid established rapidly at Taranaki and Waikato nursery sites as anticipated it has failed to establish in Northland in two successive seasons

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 The effect of parasitism on clover root weevil flight capability

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
T.M. Eden ◽  
M. Donald ◽  
P.J. Gerard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Passive Dispersal ◽  
First Instar ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

The Irish strain of Microctonus aethiopoides was released in New Zealand in 2006 to help suppress populations of the clover pest clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) A study was undertaken to determine if this parasitoid will be passively dispersed through flight activity by parasitized hosts In the laboratory Irish M aethiopoides parasitized equally hosts with or without flight muscles and subsequent presence of parasitoid eggs or first instar larvae had no effect on the propensity for S lepidus to prepare to take flight during laboratory observations In the field significantly fewer clover root weevil with flight muscles were found to be parasitized compared to those without flight muscles and those that were parasitized contained predominantly eggs and first instar larvae The results were compared with other Microctonus biocontrol agents released in New Zealand and it was concluded that passive dispersal should play a major role in dispersing Irish M aethiopoides in New Zealand especially in warm dry summers

scholarly journals Status of clover root weevil and its biocontrol agent in the South Island after six years.

2012 ◽  
pp. 171-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Ferguson ◽  
M.R. Mcneill ◽  
C.B. Phillips ◽  
S. Hardwick ◽  
D.M. Barton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
The South ◽  
Natural Spread ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Made In

Clover root weevil was first discovered in the South Island in 2006. Since then its distribution has been monitored. Although not yet occurring throughout all the South Island, it is widespread and has become common in many regions. The first releases of a biocontrol agent, the Irish ecotype of the parasitoid wasp Microctonus aethiopoides, were also made in 2006, with more made as suitable weevil populations were detected. In all areas where the releases have been monitored the biocontrol agent has established and extensive natural spread has occurred from the earlier release sites. As a consequence it is now established extensively in the northern South Island. Targeted releases have established the agent in Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Keywords: Biocontrol, clover root weevil, Sitona lepidus, Microctonus aethiopoides

scholarly journals Investigation into the delayed establishment of Microctonus aethiopoides in Northland

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 414-414
Author(s):  
T.M. Eden ◽  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
J.J. Dymock ◽  
N. Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
High Mortality ◽  
Far North ◽  
Larval Diapause ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Critical Photoperiod ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Multiple Releases ◽  
Collection Sites

The Irish strain of Microctonus aethiopoides was released in New Zealand in 2006 to help control clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) Establishment was rapid at all release sites except in Northland where multiple releases appeared to fail until low numbers were recovered in 2008 It was hypothesised that because Northland at 35S is at sufficiently different latitude to the original collection sites near Belfast Ireland (5437N) there is a crossing of the critical photoperiod for diapause induction in the wasp larvae Replicated cage trials were undertaken to compare the prevalence of premature diapause in Northland with Waikato under natural daylength and simulated Far North midsummer photoperiod (1410 h light dark) with a 16 h photoperiod Results indicated that larval diapause inside the weevil may be initiated by the parent wasp as significantly more 1st instar larvae were present in weevils where wasps had been subjected to reducing daylength (16 h down to 14 h light) High mortality amongst singlylaid wasp larvae in the Northland summer and the absence of teratocytes usually associated with larvae indicates clover root weevil adults can defeat a singlylaid parasitoid These results may explain the reduced efficacy of the Irish wasp in Northland

scholarly journals Allozyme variation between European and New Zealand populations of Microctonus aethiopoides

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 133-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.I. Iline ◽  
C.B. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Allozyme Variation ◽  
Enzyme Electrophoresis ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
European Populations

The parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera Braconidae) was introduced to New Zealand in 1982 for control of Sitona weevil Sitona discoideus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera Circulionidae) a pest of lucerne Unfortunately New Zealand populations of M aethiopoides do not parasitise clover root weevil Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal but European populations do Several PCRbased methods have demonstrated the existence of genetic variation between and amongst European and New Zealand populations of M aethiopoides However enzyme electrophoresis methods have the potential to provide less expensive population markers and these could also prove more useful than PCRbased markers for studying gene flow between European and New Zealand M aethiopoides populations This paper reports a preliminary assessment of allozyme variation between European and New Zealand M aethiopoides Nine enzymes and general proteins were assayed but the only variation was observed at esterase (EST) with two alleles present at each of two loci

scholarly journals Effect of black legume aphid Aphis craccivora honeydew on survival of the parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides

2013 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 153-156
Author(s):  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
K.R. Carswell ◽  
T.M. Eden
Keyword(s):  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Aphis Craccivora ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Nectar Sources ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Additional Water ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Aphid Honeydew

The introduced parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides (Hymenoptera Braconidae) appears to be an effective biocontrol agent for clover root weevil Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera Curculionidae) in New Zealand pastures As these pastures lack accessible nectar sources hemipteran honeydew may be the most readily available energy source for the parasitoid Experiments were undertaken to compare longevity of newly emerged M aethiopoides adults caged on white clover firstly with and without black legume aphid Aphis craccivora Kock (Hemiptera Aphididae) and then with additional water and sucrose solution treatments Parasitoids with access to aphid honeydew lived significantly longer (mean longevity 81 days) than those with water or no liquid (both 68 days) but not as long as those fed sucrose solution (109 days) Therefore the abundance of aphids commonly present on clovers may enhance M aethiopoides longevity and therefore efficacy in the field especially in mid spring when host availability is very low

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 A life sentence or parole conditional release approval of biological control agents

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 281-284
Author(s):  
S.A. Whiteman ◽  
B.I.P. Barratt ◽  
G.S. Ridley
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Conditional Release ◽  
Life Sentence ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

Changes made in 2003 to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 introduced a new approval type called conditional release Previously the only option was for full release approval under which the organism was no longer subject to HSNO Act regulation Applicants seeking approval for conditional release of a biological control agent have expressed concern that a resulting approval may have onerous and costly controls required for risk mitigation In 2005 Microctonus aethiopoides a biological control agent of Sitona lepidus (clover root weevil) became the first organism to be granted a conditional release approval This paper discusses the controls on that approval and other possible options for controls that could be considered in the future

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