Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Ophelimus (b) control agent
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health Newsletter 62, April 1997.
One of my primary aims during this (Australian) visit was to collect the final pieces of data for the potential biological control for the eucalypt gall wasp (Ophelimus (b)). Differing climatic zones were identified with the parasite present. Also timing of attack and breeding strategies were examined in preparation for importing the parasite into quarantine. Now that we have all of these data it is time to prepare the Import Impact Assessment. Several sites with constant populations of the pest and parasite were identified. Because of the relative scarcity of these insects in their home range they will need to be bulked up in Australia before importation.
Patrick Walsh, FRI
Eucalypt gall research
From Forest Health News No. 49, February 1996.
In FHNews 37 (Dec 1994) we reported that Patrick Walsh had gone to Australia to search for a parasitoid of Ophelimus sp. that causes galls on Eucalyptus saligna and E.botryoides. A parasitoid was identified during that trip and Patrick spent some time in mid 1995 with the Research Division at Cumberland State Forest in the Sydney area. At that time more of the parasitoid was found in the field and a survey showed that in one area 60% of new galls contained the parasitoid. The parasitised galls on E.botryoides are being grown in the insectary at NSW Research Division and a import license has been applied for for the rearing and testing of the of it at NZ FRI.
GeoffRidley, NZ FRI
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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