The introduction of the eleven-spotted ladybird Coccinella undecimpunctata to New Zealand in 1874: the first use of a ladybird for biological control, or a spurious record created by cumulative misreporting?

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Galbreath ◽  
P. J. Cameron

The introduction of the eleven-spotted ladybird Coccinella undecimpunctata to New Zealand in 1874 has been widely quoted as the first importation of an insect for biological control in New Zealand and one of the first anywhere. However, searches of historical records show no evidence that such an introduction was made or attempted. Instead, there is clear evidence that the presently accepted record arose by a process of cumulative misreporting. An account of discussions in the Entomological Society of London in December 1873 about possible introductions of various beneficial insects to New Zealand was misreported by the American entomologist C. V. Riley, and several subsequent authors restated his version with further modifications and additions. This created the record of the introduction of C. undecimpunctata to New Zealand in 1874 that has been accepted and repeated ever since.

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Murray ◽  
T.M. Withers ◽  
S. Mansfield ◽  
J. Bain

In the 1970s and 1980s two natural enemies of the eucalyptus tortoise beetle Paropsis charybdis an invasive pest from Australia were established in New Zealand Cleobora mellyi (Coccinellidae) remained localised to the Marlborough Sounds but Enoggera nassaui (Pteromalidae) showed a significant impact and spread throughout the country A selfintroduced hyperparasitoid Baeoanusia albifunicle (Encyrtidae) has recently disrupted the biological control of P charybdis by E nassaui Another selfintroduced parasitoid Neopolycystus insectifurax (Pteromalidae) has also appeared As the distributions of the three parasitoids and C mellyi throughout the eucalypt growing areas of New Zealand were largely unknown historical records were reviewed and a field survey of selected areas was carried out The three parasitoids are widely distributed and despite some recent inundative releases of C mellyi it does not appear to have established in other geographical areas yet The effectiveness of the biocontrol agents against P charybdis will be the focus of future research


1928 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Myers
Keyword(s):  

The biology of Rhyssa persuasoria, L., and of Ibalia leucospoides, Hochenw., has already been sketched in a preliminary paper published in this Bulletin (xix, pp. 67–77, pl. iii, 1928) in collaboration with Mr. R. N. Chrystal, of the Imperial Forestry Institute. The following observations were made by the writer chiefly at the Farnham House Laboratory, during the spring and summer of 1928, and are gathered together in view of his departure from England. The work of collecting and rearing supplies of Rhyssa and Ibalia for shipment to New Zealand, for the biological control of Sirex nodilio (juvencus), has been continued on a larger scale. The present notes were made incidentally during this work and are arranged under nearly the same headings as in the previous paper, to which they are supplementary. One error needs correcting. It was stated (on p. 75) that the larch (Larix europaea, D.C.) is indigenous, though actually planted in the Oxford locality mentioned. As a matter of fact, of course, larch, though Palaearctic, is not indigenous to Britain.


2002 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joël L. Vanneste ◽  
Robert A. Hill ◽  
Stuart J. Kay ◽  
Roberta L. Farrell ◽  
Patrick T. Holland

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Van De Jong ◽  
B.E. Braithwaite ◽  
T.L. Roush ◽  
A. Stewart ◽  
J.G. Hampton

New Zealand produces approximately 5,500 tonnes of brassica seed per year, two thirds of which, valued at $13M, is exported. Black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is a common disease of brassicas, and while crop losses are not extensive in New Zealand, internationally total crop losses have been reported. Seeds are the primary source of inoculum and the ease with which this inoculum spreads means that even small traces can cause severe epidemics. Genetic resistance to black rot is a complex trait which makes breeding for resistance in brassicas challenging. The effectiveness of chemical and cultural practices is variable. Biological control with natural antagonistic microbes may provide a more effective means of controlling black rot and other pests and diseases, and create opportunities for increasing the export value of brassica seed. Current cultural practices and the potential for biological control for the management of black rot are reviewed. Keywords: biocontrol, Brassicaceae, crucifer


1989 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 231-236
Author(s):  
I.F. Owens ◽  
B.B. Fitzharris

Walking tracks which cross relatively rugged avalanche-prone terrain are becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand. Consequently, there exists the need to develop a methodology by which it will be possible objectively to assess the avalanche hazard in the vicinity of the tracks. This paper outlines some procedures that have been used to map avalanche paths, and introduces modifications to an internationally used highway hazard index employed to quantify the danger to walkers. The Fiordland region of south-west New Zealand is an area of spectacular scenic beauty, made famous by the Milford Track which has been walked by large numbers of tourists since the late nineteenth century. In recent years, avalanches have killed one person on the track, severely damaged a lodge, and destroyed several small bridges. Other walking tracks have been opened to tourists in this century and one of these, the Routeburn Track, is included in this study. Avalanche paths which affected the Milford and Routeburn Tracks were mapped in the field using well-established techniques and applying the results of previous research on the Milford Road, where historical records are available for a period of 50 years. The risk to walkers was assessed with a hazard index which depends on frequency of avalanches, numbers of paths, time taken to traverse each path, and numbers of walkers using the track. Results indicate that the avalanche hazard is low to moderate on the Milford Track and moderate on the Routeburn Track. The management implications of these findings are outlined.


Author(s):  
R. Van Dissen ◽  
J. Begg ◽  
Y. Awata

Approximately one year after the Great Hanshin (Kobe) Earthquake, two New Zealand geologists were invited to help with the Geological Survey of Japan's paleoearthquake/active fault studies in the Kobe/Awaji area. Trenches excavated across the Nojima fault, which ruptured during the Great Hanshin Earthquake, showed evidence of past surface rupture earthquakes, with the age of the penultimate earthquake estimated at approximately 2000 years. A trench across the Higashiura fault, located 3-4 km southeast of the Nojima fault, revealed at least two past surface rupture earthquakes. The timing of the older earthquakes is not yet known, but pottery fragments found in the trench constrain the timing of the most recent earthquake at less than 500-600 years. Historical records for this part of Japan suggest that within the last 700 years there has been only one regionally felt earthquake prior to the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, and this was the AD 1596 Keicho Earthquake. It thus seems reasonable to suggest that the Higashiura fault was, at least in part, the source of the AD 1596 Keicho Earthquake.


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