Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Coleophora mayrella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) = Coleophora spissicornis, banded clover casebearer
Agent introduced: Pteromalus semotus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) = Habrocytus milleri
Imported:
1952, 1955?
Import source:
Near Montmédy, France
Import notes:
Cameron et al. (1989) - Pteromalus semotus was imported in August 1952 and possibly in August 1955 in Coleophora trifolii host larvae collected near Montmédy, France. ‘Considerable numbers’ of P. semotus emerged from the 1952 importation and several hundred adults were released in late-December 1953 (1952?). ‘Pteromalus semotus’ was also included in the 1955 shipment, but a greater understanding of its biology led to its rejection as a possible biocontrol agent. There was also some question about the identity of the species. Seven females and two males emerged and were sent to the Commonwealth Institute of Entomology for identification after laboratory trials to have them attack New Zealand Coleophora spp. failed. None were released. [Cameron et al. (1989) reported the New Zealand pest species of Coleophora, targeted by biocontrol programmes, as C. frischella and C. spissicornis. However, it is now considered very likely that it is C. alcyonipenella rather than C. frischella present in New Zealand - see the introduction entries for the agents imported against C. alcyonipenella for details - and Coleophora spissicornis has subsequently been synonymised with C. mayrella - see Taxonomic note (22 September 2025) entry below in 'General comments' section.]
Released:
1953 (1952?)
Release details:
Cameron et al. (1989) - several hundred adults were released near Nelson, South Island in late-December 1953 (1952?) [presumably the record states 1953 but possibly in error as 1952 seems more likely for adults emerging from the August 1952 importation] and another 200 at Hastings, North Island.
Establishment:
Cameron et al. (1989) - there have been no recoveries of P. semotus.
General comments:
Taxonomic note (22 September 2025) - Coleophora spissicornis is reported present in New Zealand as the banded clover casebearer by Cameron et al. (1989) and other authors. Baldizzone (1994) synonymised C. spissicornis with C. mayrella and Stubner (2007) treats it as a synonym of C. mayrella in his revision of the C. frischella taxonomic group (though noting some uncertainty about this due to the type specimen of Porrectaria spissicornis being damaged.) Coleophora mayrella, but not C. spissicornis, is reported to be present in New Zealand by Biota of New Zealand (Landcare Research Biota of NZ - accessed 22 September 2025) and the New Zealand Arthropod Collection (Landcare Research SCNZ - accessed 22 September 2025).
References
Baldizzone G (1994). Contribuzioni alla conoscenza dei Coleophoridae. LXXXVII. Coleophoridae nuovi o poco conosciuti dell'Africa settentrionale (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae). SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología 25(100): 219-257
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.
Landcare Research Biota of NZ (). Biota of New Zealand. Landcare Research website https://biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz
Landcare Research SCNZ (). New Zealand Arthropod Collection: Systematics Collections Data. Landcare Research website https://scd.landcareresearch.co.nz/
Stubner A (2007). Taxonomic revision of the Coleophora frischella species group (Coleophoridae). Nota Lepidopterologica 30 (1): 121-172 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bc78/ab9b0a5889d02036f0d79ac1b4ce6f334582.pdf
