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EXOTIC INTRODUCTIONS OF PRIMARY PARASITOIDS OF APHIDS IN NEW ZEALAND: THE GOOD AND THE BAD D.A.J. Teulon, G.M. Drayton, & I.A.W. Scott New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand, [email protected] ABSTRACT. This paper summarises the primary aphid parasitoid species (a mixture of intentionally introduced species, self-introduced species and probably indigenous species) recorded from introduced and indigenous aphids in New Zealand. It reviews the effectiveness of the intentionally and self-introduced primary parasitoids on aphid pests in New Zealand in terms of their ability to control pest aphid species and contrasts this with their potential impact on indigenous aphids. The majority of aphids found in New Zealand have been inadvertently introduced (about 100 species), including many that are important plant pests in horticulture, agriculture, and forestry. In recent years a growing number of indigenous New Zealand aphid species (currently over 15) have been recognised that are of considerable scientific interest. Most of these indigenous species were discovered after the biocontrol introductions for pest species. Of the primary parasitoid species purposefully introduced, several are considered to be effective biological control agents, e.g. Aphidius rhopalosiphi and Aphidius ervi. Additionally, other self-introduced species are also considered to be effective biological control agents, e.g. Aphidius colemani. There is increasing evidence that several intentionally and self-introduced primary parasitoid species are attacking indigenous aphid species in New Zealand and we are endeavouring to quantify their impact on these species. The lack of documented morphological characteristics for some species and the presence of undescribed indigenous genera/species in New Zealand make primary aphid parasitoid identification very difficult. The use of molecular techniques has in some part improved the reliability of identification. INTRODUCTION. Invasive aphids. The majority of aphids found in New Zealand have been inadvertently introduced (about 100 species) (Teulon & Stufkens 2002). They have a significant economic impact on arable, vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops, and forest trees, and have unquantified impacts on natural systems. Aspects of their biology, such as their small size, parthenogenetic reproduction, high reproductive rate, short generation time, rapid dispersal and eruptive population dynamics pose difficult challenges for biosecurity and pest management in New Zealand (Teulon & Stufkens 2002). Procceedings of the Third International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, Christchurch, New Zealand. Peter G. Mason, David R. Gillespie & Charles Vincent (2008) Proceedings of ISBCA 3 – P. G. Mason, D. R. Gillespie and C. Vincent Eds. (2008) Indigenous aphids. Over 15 species of native aphids have also been recorded in New Zealand, with the majority of these being recognised in the last 10 years (Teulon et al. 2003; Teulon et al. unpublished data). They constitute a distinctive component of the world aphid fauna and New Zealand fauna, with species belonging to the Neophyllaphidinae, Taiwanaphidinae (primitive subtribes with Gondwanan distributions) and Aphidinae (mostly Aphidini). Recent molecular research places a group of native aphid species as central to the global evolution of the species-rich Aphidinae (von Dohlen & Teulon 2002) that includes many of the world pest species. New Zealand native species are not considered plant pests but those species in Aphis/Paradoxaphis and Euschiaphis genera are related to common pest species found in New Zealand. Aphid species native to New Zealand are generally monophagous (at least to plant genus) and are found on plant species bordering natural and productive systems. Natural enemies. The relatively narrow range of predators and parasitoids on aphids in NZ has been recognised for some time and as a result a number of predator (Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Coniopterygidae, Chamaemyiidae and Syrphidae) and parasitoid (mostly Aphelinidae, Braconidae, see below) species have been introduced into New Zealand for aphid pest management (Thomas 1989). We are interested in the impact of introduced parasitoids on indigenous aphids and how this might inform future introductions of biological control agents into New Zealand. The New Zealand aphid/parasitoid system provides a useful model for assessing the non-target impact of natural enemies due to; (1) the relatively large numbers (in terms of species and total numbers) of introduced compared with native aphids found in New Zealand, (2) the number of parasitoid introductions that were made before the size of the native aphid fauna was known, (3) the close taxonomic relatedness of some native and introduced aphids in New Zealand, and (4) the type of host plants of New Zealand aphids that are often found on the border between natural and productive systems. In this paper we review the known primary parasitoid fauna in New Zealand, including both deliberate and unintentional introductions of exotic parasitoids, and attempt to place these introductions in the context of their potential non-target impact on native New Zealand aphids. PRIMARY PARASITOIDS: INTENTIONAL INTRODUCTIONS. There have been seven or eight successful introductions, and a small number of unsuccessful intentional introductions of aphid primary parasitoids to New Zealand. These introductions are summarised in Cameron et al. (1989). One further introduction has taken place since then. Valentine and Walker (1991) and Anonymous (2007) provide a list of species established in New Zealand: 422 Proceedings of ISBCA 3 – P. G. Mason, D. R. Gillespie and C. Vincent Eds. (2008) Aphelinus mali (Haldeman) (Aphelinidae) for the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann)) on apple. Sourced from several states in the USA and released in New Zealand from 1921 to 1924 after screening for secondary parasitoids. It became widespread in New Zealand by 1925 and is considered to be a highly successful biocontrol agent except where interrupted by pesticide applications (Walker 1989). Aphelinus subflavens (Westwood) (Aphelinidae) for the oak aphid (Myzocallis annulatus (Hartig)) on oak and chestnuts. Introduced to New Zealand from Europe via Australia in about 1939, but subsequently found to be present in New Zealand at that time. The oak aphid is no longer considered a significant problem, suggesting that A. subflavens was a successful biocontrol agent (Walker 1989). Aphidius eadyi Stary, Gonzales & Hall (Braconidae) for the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)) on lucerne. Originated from Morocco via California and released into New Zealand from 1977 to 1981 with subsequent distribution throughout New Zealand. It became established in all lucerne areas by 1987, with parasitism rates of 30-40% associated with declining pea aphid populations (Cameron & Walker 1989). Aphidius ervi Haliday (Braconidae) for the bluegreen lucerne aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji) and pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)). Strains from various countries (via California), Australia and UK were released into New Zealand from 1977 to 1981. A. eadyi and particularly A. ervi have contributed, along with a range of other natural enemies and resistant cultivars, to the control of the bluegreen lucerne and pea aphid (Cameron et al. 1989). It should also be noted that a specimen considered to be A. ervi was identified in New Zealand in 1963 from Aulacorthum solani on Histeropteris excelsa (a fern) (M. Carver pers. comm. to J Berry). Trioxys complanatus Quilis (Braconidae) for the spotted alfalfa aphid (Therioaphis trifollii (Monell)) on lucerne. Introduced into New Zealand from Australia from 1982 to 1985, established only in localised populations and has not been recovered since 1985. T. trifollii proved not to be a pest under New Zealand conditions (Walker & Cameron 1989). Ephedrus plagiator (Nees ab Esenbeck) (Braconidae) was introduced from Japan via Australia for biocontrol of A. kondoi and A. pisum in 1977. Cameron et al. (1989) noted that field recoveries did not persist but this species is listed in the Checklist of New Zealand Hymenoptera as being in New Zealand (Anonymous 2007) (M. Carver, pers. comm.). Aphidius rhopalosiphi De Stefani Perez (Braconidae) for the rose-grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) on cereals (esp. barley). Introduced from England and France and released in 1985 from 1987 with recoveries made from most cereal-growing areas in 1987 (Stufkens & Farrell 1989). This introduction was considered to be a success, with Grundy (1990) estimating that A. rhopalosiphi provided annual benefits of between NZ$0.3 and $5 million p.a. A. rhopalosiphi also parasitises another important cereal aphid pest found in New Zealand í Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). 423 Proceedings of ISBCA 3 – P. G. Mason, D. R. Gillespie and C. Vincent Eds. (2008) Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Braconidae) for the sowthistle aphid (Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.)) on blackcurrant. Introduced from Australia in 1994 and established throughout New Zealand, except for the southern South Island). Stufkens & Farrell (1995) suggest it is was likely to be present in New Zealand at the time of release. Significant levels of parasitism were recorded on its secondary host (sowthistle), but minimal levels were recorded on its primary host (blackcurrant). Additionally, Aphidius smithi Sharma & Subba Rao, Ephedrus plagiator (Nees ab Esenbeck), and Praon barbatum Mackauer