Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Cleobora mellyi
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 News 234, March 2013.
In April 2012 Forest Health News (No. 224) reported that the Bio-Protection Research Centre at Lincoln started trials on the use of an Australian ladybird, Cleobora mellyi, to control the potato-tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, in New Zealand. Cleobora mellyi was introduced into New Zealand in 1977 for the control of the eucalyptus tortoise beetle, Paropsis charybdis. The adults and larvae of C. mellyi feed on the eggs of the tortoise beetle but also eat psyllids and aphids. Without psyllids as part of its diet the ladybird lays very few eggs.
The team at the Bio-Protection Research Centre (led by Steve Wratten) have demonstrated that C. mellyi is a very effective predator of B. cockerelli in the laboratory and earlier this month C. mellyi eggs, larvae and adults were released into an organic potato crop in Mid Canterbury. For further details see (or rather listen to) http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/2549113/ladybird-release.asx.
It is hoped that the ladybirds find the potato patch to their liking and they stay there and breed. Its potential as a biological control agent appears to be very promising.
The potato-tomato-psyllid causes major damage in New Zealand’s potato and tamarillo industries and also damages capsicums, tomatoes and eggplants.
John Bain
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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