THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Lisa Berndt, Michelle Watson and Tara Murray Ensis Forest Biosecurity and Protection BiologicalBiological controlcontrol ofof gumleafgumleaf skeletoniser,skeletoniser, paropsisparopsis andand buddleiabuddleia March 2007 THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Gumleaf skeletoniser Uraba lugens (Nolidae) • Australian eucalypt defoliator • In Auckland since 2001 • Spreading to Waikato, Northland, BOP • Threat to plantations, amenity trees, public health • Attacking new host plant species THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION GLS biocontrol • 4 potential parasitoids identified • ERMA permission to import 2004 • Develop rearing & host testing methods 2004-2007 (2 species) Eriborus sp. Photos: Geoff Allen & John Barran Euplectrus sp. Cotesia urabae Dolichogenidea eucalypti THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Success: rearing • Rearing method finally successful • Solving mating problems key THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Success: host testing • Methods developed • Nearly complete for two species • Nine more species to test • Strong preference for uraba THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Paropsis biocontrol • Major eucalypt pest • Previously controlled by parasitoid Enoggera nissaui • Biocontrol disrupted by hyperparasitoid in North Island since 2002 Enoggera nassaui on P. charybdis egg • Second parasitoid (Neopolycystus insectifurax) not as effective • Most plantations sprayed annually now THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Paropsis charybdis Current research • PhD student Tara Murray (2nd year) • Studying biology of hyperparasitoid • Role of second parasitoid • Understanding of system to help biocontrol of paropsis in the future 100 90 Baeo 80 Enog e 70 nc Neo 60 ge r 50 e m 40 E 30 % 20 10 0 Neo Enog Hyperparasitoid Neopolycystus Baeoanusia albifunicle Primary parasitoid insectifurax THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Buddleia biocontrol • Chinese shrub, now a major weed in plantation and native forests in New Zealand • Biocontrol agent: Cleopus japonicus, a leaf feeding weevil • Approved by ERMA for release in Dec 2005 • First release Sept 2006, Rotorua THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Field releases Climate effects • 5 sites in commercial forests in the North Is. • Study effect of climate on cleopus • Started October 2006, monitored monthly Preliminary results (to February): • Recorded up to 70m from release • Several generations recorded so far • Impressive damage to buddleia! • Winter survival to be confirmed … THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION Non-target studies Extention of lab work done prior to ERMA permission to release Non-target field trial • 6 potential hosts for cleopus planted with buddleia • Cleopus has strong preference for buddleia • Only exploratory feeding on native species Lab trial • Replicate evidence of feeding on native Hebe speciosa • No larval survival, confirmed result was an anomaly. THE JOINT FORCES OF CSIRO & SCION.