Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2xdlg Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-25T09:44:13.606Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Evaluation of biological control of the oak leaf-miner Phyllonorycter messaniella (Zell.) (Lep., Gracillariidae) in New Zealand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

D. I. Swan
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of the introduced Hymenopterous parasites Apanteles circumscriptus (Nees) and Enaysma splendens Delucchi in the control of Phyllonorycter messaniella (Zell.) samples of leaves were taken from infested oaks during 1969–70. In Christchurch there were three generations of P. messaniella per year with spring, summer, and autumn emergence periods. Infestation on deciduous oaks was negligible in some areas but was 6.3 mines/leaf in the lower crown of oaks close to evergreen oaks on which P. messaniella overwinters. On deciduous oaks total parasitism ranged from 30% to 80%. Apanteles was the most abundant parasite but Enaysma assumed almost equal importance on oaks with low infestations. Pnigalio pectinicornis (L.), a self-introduced parasite, has been almost completely displaced by the other two parasites since their introduction in 1957. The infestation intensity recorded in Nelson (2.3 mines/leaf) was much lower than the level reported before the release of the parasites (40+ mines/leaf), but still much higher than levels in Europe.

Type
Research Paper
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Delucchi, V. L. (1958). Lithocolletis messaniella Zeller (Lep. Gracilariidae): analysis of some mortality factors with particular reference to its parasite complex. –Entomophaga 3, 203270.Google Scholar
Given, B. B. (1959). Biological control factors influencing populations of oak leaf-miner, Lithocolletis messaniella Zeller, in New Zealand including the introduction of parasites. –N.Z. Jl agric Res. 2, 124133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin, J. L. (1956). The bionomics of the aspen blotch miner, Lithocolletis salicifoliella Cham. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). –Can. Ent. 88, 155168.Google Scholar
Wise, K. A. J. (1953a). Occurrence of the oak blotch miner Lithocolletis messaniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in New Zealand. –Trans. R. Soc. N.Z. 81, 6566.Google Scholar
Wise, K. A. J. (1953b). Host plants of Lithocolletis messaniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in New Zealand. –N.Z. Jl Sci. Technol. 35(A), 172174.Google Scholar
Wise, K. A. J. (1955). Notes on New Zealand Lepidoptera. –N.Z. Ent. 1(5), 13.Google Scholar