Biocontrol introduction

Target pest: Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), tomato fruitworm

Agent introduced: Hyposoter didymator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Imported:

1976

Import source:

Bulgaria and Greece

Import notes:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Hyposoter didymator was collected in Bulgaria and Greece by the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control and shipped to New Zealand in 1976.

Released:

Cameron et al. (1989) - not released [see Cameron et al. (1989) entry in 'General comments' section and Cameron et al. (1993) entry in 'Impacts on non-targets' section].

Impacts on non-targets:

Cameron et al. (1993) - in host range tests in quarantine in New Zealand, H. didymator was presented the larvae of 24 species of nine lepidopterous families. Twenty species were attacked and the parasitoid developed on 14 species from three families. Hyposoter didymator is not monophagous in its native environment, but there is no indication that its host range is this wide under field conditions. Although this wide acceptance of hosts resulted from the absence of the usual host location cues in the laboratory, no other evidence was available and the case for field releases could not be supported.

General comments:

Cameron et al. (1989) - Hyposoter didymator was not released because it was shown to have a wide host range which gave concern about possible environmental conflicts.

References

Cameron PJ, Hill RL, Bain J, Thomas WP (1989). A Review of Biological Control of Invertebrate Pests and Weeds in New Zealand 1874-1987. Technical Communication No 10. CAB International Institute of Biological Control. DSIR Entomology Division. 424p.

Cameron PJ, Hill RL, Bain J, Thomas WP (1993). Analysis of importations for biological control of insect pests and weeds in New Zealand. Biocontrol Science and Technology 3(4): 387-404 https://doi.org/10.1080/09583159309355294