Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), gum leaf skeletoniser
Agent introduced: Euplectrus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
Imported:
2004?, 2005?
Import source:
Australia (Tasmania & South Australia)
Import notes:
Mansfield (2005) - several collections of the U. lugens parasitoids (and potential biocontrol agents) Cotesia urabae, Dolichogenidea eucalypti, Euplectrus sp. and Eriborus sp. were made in Tasmania and South Australia from November 2004 to January 2005. Dolichogenidea eucalypti did not survive due to a high level of hyperparasitism, but the other three species are now in containment in New Zealand.
Berry & Mansfield (2006) - natural enemies that attack biocontrol agents can seriously interfere with the effectiveness of the agent. The hyperparasitoids reared from of the four species of primary parasitoids of Uraba lugens collected in South Australia and Tasmania as potential biocontrol agents for U. lugens [see Mansfield (2005) entry above in this section] were identified to determine whether any were already present in New Zealand. One hyperparasitoid species, Pediobius bruchicida, was reared from Euplectrus sp. and is known to be present in New Zealand. If Euplectrus sp. is introduced to New Zealand it is likely it will be attacked by P. bruchicida; this may be sufficient cause to exclude Euplectrus sp. as a possible biocontrol agent for U. lugens.
Berndt (2007) - since approval to import four parasitoids of Uraba lugens into containment [see EPA (2004) entry in ‘EPA applications’ section below] many problems have been encountered with mating and rearing the parasitoids, and with hyperparasitoid contamination of the parasitoid shipments from Australia. Additionally, Euplectrus sp. has been ruled out as a potential control agent because a hyperparasitoid is present in New Zealand [see Berry & Mansfield (2006) entry above in this section].
Release details:
Not released.
EPA Applications:
EPA (2004) - 9 Jun 2004: application by Scion to import Cotesia urabae, Dolichogenidea eucalypti, Eriborus sp. and Euplectrus sp. into containment for assessment as biocontrol agents of the gum leaf skeletoniser, Uraba lugens. EPA Application # NOC04004, approved with controls 10 Sep 2004.
References
Berndt L (2007). Uraba lugens biological control progressing nicely. Forest Health News 169, January 2007 https://cdm20044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p20044coll2/id/65/rec/61
Berry JA, Mansfield S (2006). Hyperparasitoids of the gum leaf skeletoniser, EPA (2004). EPA application NOC04004: to import Cotesia urabae, Dolichogenidea eucalypti, Eriborus sp. and Euplectrus sp. into containment for assessment as biocontrol agents of the gum leaf skeletoniser, Uraba lugens. Environmental Protection Authority website https://www.epa.govt.nz/database-search/hsno-application-register/view/NOC04004
Mansfield S (2005). Biological control of Uraba lugens - progress report. Forest Health News No. 150, April 2005 https://www.scionresearch.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/3869/fhnewsNo150-2005Apr.pdf
