scholarly journals Abundance and parasitism of clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) and Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) in pastures

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 180-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
M. Vasse ◽  
D.J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Host Availability ◽  
The North ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Microctonus Hyperodae

The period from 2006 to 2010 in the North Island encompasses the widespread establishment of Irish Microctonus aethiopoides for the biocontrol of clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) and a severe drought in 2008 that greatly reduced host availability This parasitoid occupies the same pasture habitat as Microctonus hyperodae a parasitoid with a similar life cycle introduced to control Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) A retrospective study was carried out on L bonariensis data and stored samples collected during S lepidus studies It was found that at all four initial M aethiopoides release sites L bonariensis populations were lowest in 2007 and 2008 while S lepidus populations were lowest in 2008 and 2009 Microctonus hyperodae parasitism levels were lowest in 2009 with overall regional means ranging from 5 in Manawatu to 11 in Waikato whereas corresponding Irish M aethiopoides parasitism levels were 43 and 72 respectively

scholarly journals Clover root weevil in the South Island detection response and current distribution

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. 209-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.B. Phillips ◽  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
S. Hardwick ◽  
C.J. Vink ◽  
J.M. Kean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
New South ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Detection Response ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Intensive Sampling

Sitona lepidus had spread throughout the North Island of New Zealand by 2005 and was first detected in the South Island in January 2006 when one individual was found at Harewood Christchurch Intensive sampling during February 2006 recovered only two additional specimens Several specimens were recovered from a separate Christchurch location in August 2006 Localised S lepidus populations were discovered near Richmond Nelson in April 2006 and in Rai Valley in May 2006 A website established in May 2006 to provide information about S lepidus was visited a mean of 135 times per month but it was never used to report possible new South Island infestations A biological control agent Microctonus aethiopoides was released at Richmond and Rai Valley between August 2006 and March 2007 By May 2007 it was parasitising from 4 to 14 of S lepidus adults which indicates it is likely to become permanently established

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 South Island distributions of clover root weevil and its biocontrol agent

2010 ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.B. Phillips ◽  
M.R. Mcneill ◽  
S. Hardwick ◽  
C.M. Ferguson ◽  
J.M. Kean
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
The North ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root

Clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) (CRw), a white clover pest from the Northern Hemisphere, was first found in the North island in 1996.

scholarly journals The current status of Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) as a pest in the North Island of New Zealand

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Popay ◽  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
S.L. Goldson ◽  
C.M. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The North ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Microctonus Hyperodae ◽  
Behavioural Adaptations

Recent sampling in Waikato and Taranaki shows that Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) can still cause major damage to susceptible ryegrass pastures despite the introduction of the parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae in 1991 Percentage of tillers with L bonariensis larval damage in diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass and Italian ryegrass in January and February were between 11 and 68 High egg numbers were noted on occasion Although there is evidence that M hyperodae reduces host populations parasitism levels vary considerably between years in Canterbury and are low in Otago and Southland where high populations of L bonariensis have recently been recorded Factors that may be lessening the impact of M hyperodae are considered These include asynchronous generations of the parasitoid and its host host behavioural adaptations compensatory oviposition and inhibition of flight in parasitised individuals leading to low levels of parasitism in new pastures

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 Microctonus hyperodae a summary of releases and distribution in New Zealand pasture

2002 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 272-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
P.J. Addison ◽  
J.R. Proffitt ◽  
C.B. Phillips ◽  
S.L. Goldson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
South America ◽  
Single Female ◽  
Limited Distribution ◽  
The North ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Geographic Populations ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Microctonus Hyperodae

The braconid parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae was released in New Zealand for biological control of Argentine stem weevil Listronotus bonariensis The initial 1991 research introduction involved the release of 99000 parasitised L bonariensis Between 1991 and 1998 a further 660000 M hyperodae were released as part of commercial contracts and research programmes Commercial contracts resulted in the widespread release of the parasitoid in the North Island with South Island releases mainly confined to midCanterbury There were eight geographic populations originally collected from South America and these were maintained separately in the laboratory Excluding the Mendoza population which was founded on a single female an average of 91040 M hyperodae was released from each of the seven remaining populations Parasitised L bonariensis were released at a total of 121 sites and the parasitoid established at 118 (975) Based on the distribution of releases in New Zealand and the results of surveys it is estimated that M hyperodae is now very widely distributed in the North Island with more limited distribution in the South Island

Effect of the ratios ofListronotus bonariensisandSitona discoideus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to their respective parasitoidsMicroctonus hyperodaeandM. aethiopoides(Hymenoptera: Braconidae), on parasitism, host oviposition and feeding in the laboratory

1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.I.P. Barratt ◽  
A.A. Evans ◽  
P.D. Johnstone
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Exposure Time ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Parasite Number ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides ◽  
Microctonus Hyperodae

AbstractThe parasitoidsMicroctonus hyperodaeLoan andM. aethiopoidesLoan have been introduced into New Zealand to control the forage pestsListronotus bonariensis(Kuschel) andSitona discoideusGyllenhal, respectively. Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of host–parasitoid ratio, and exposure time on host survival, parasitism, oviposition and feeding. Cages of 20 field collected weevils were exposed to 0, 1, 3 or 6 parasitoids for 0, 1, 12 or 48 hours, maintained until parasitoid pupal emergence, and surviving weevils dissected. Over the ranges studied, increasing parasite number, and to a greater extent, period of exposure of parasitoids to their hosts increased parasitism levels.Microctonus aethiopoidesachieved higher levels of parasitism inS. discoideusat the lower parasitoid contact treatments than didM. hyperodaeinL. bonariensis. Fecundity in unparasitized weevils was progressively reduced in bothL. bonariensisandS. discoideusin relation to increasing exposure to parasitoids. Feeding was reduced by about 40% inL. bonariensisfor at least four days after parasitoids were removed, and inS. discoideusfor the duration of the experiment, averaging 15%. Results were discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of indirect effects of parasitoids on unparasitized hosts.

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 Can pest management and biosecurity benefit from the surveillance and security industries

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
S. Hardwick ◽  
C.M. Ferguson ◽  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
J. Sik
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Image Resolution ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis

Selfreporting cameras have the potential to revolutionise the trapping networks utilised in pest management and biosecurity A study was carried out to determine whether commercially available selfreporting camera systems that use WiFi and GSM to transmit images to secure websites could be incorporated into trapping networks Of 45 systems initially examined one the RedEye security camera was laboratory tested Tests showed that the standard optics package was incapable of distinguishing between clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) and Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) An upgrade of the cameras optics enabled it be used to successfully monitor porina (Wiseana spp) flight activity While this result was encouraging more research is needed before the technology can be incorporated into trapping networks In particular further thought is needed as to the level of image resolution that is required to ensure that the system is relevant to all pest management and biosecurity practitioners

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

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document