Biocontrol introduction
Target pest: Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), gum leaf skeletoniser
Agent introduced: Eriborus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
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, and host specificity tests have begun with C. urabae and Eriborus sp.
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. No hyperparasitoid species were reared from Eriborus sp.
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, Eriborus sp. has been ruled out as a potential control agent because of difficulties obtaining enough from Australia.
Release details:
Not released.
Impacts on non-targets:
Mansfield (2005) - host specificity tests have begun with Eriborus sp. against the following non-target moth species: Celama parvitis, Metacrias erichrysa, Nyctemera annulata and Helicoverpa armigera, chosen because they are related to the genus Uraba. Preliminary results show no evidence for attack on these non-target species; however, the testing programme is at a very early stage.
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
