Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
New Insect threatens control of Eucalyptus tortoise beetle
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 117, April 2002.
Two new egg parasitoids associated with the eucalyptus tortoise beetle, Paropsis charybdis, have been discovered in New Zealand. This insect causes substantial damage to a number of eucalypt species by browsing on their foliage. The new insects are expected to influence significantly the current programme that uses the introduced parasitoid Enoggera nassaui as a biological agent to control this undesirable eucalypt pest (FHNews 100:2). 
The first new species has been identified* as Baeoanusia albifunicle. It is a tiny Australian wasp known to be an obligate hyperparasitoid (a parasitoid of a parasitoid) of the biological control agent Enoggera nassaui, also a wasp. B. albifunicle first invades the eggs of P. charybdis , but is unable to develop further until the egg is attacked in turn by E. nassaui. When this occurs, B. albifunicle consumes the larva of E. nassaui and eventually emerges as an adult wasp. Eggs of P. charybdis not attacked by E. nassaui are able to hatch normally, even if B. albifunicle is present.
Because of its behaviour, there is a risk that B. albifunicle may check the population development of E. nassaui and prevent it from multiplying as rapidly as it has in past seasons. This is likely to have serious consequences, since until now E. nassaui has been the only biological control agent effective against P. charybdis in this country.
That was until the discovery of the second insect, also a tiny wasp. Identified* as Neopolycystus sp., this species, like E. nassaui, is a primary parasitoid of eucalypt leaf beetles such as Paropsis in Australia. Another species of Neopolycystus , N. insectifurax , was originally also released in New Zealand as a potential control agent, but unlike E. nassaui it failed to become established. It appears that the new species is not N. insectifurax, but another recent introduction. The identity of the insect parasitising the eggs of P. charybdis can be diagnosed from their external appearance. Eggs invaded by E. nassaui become covered in a characteristic pattern of small black dots, while those parasitised by the new Neopolycystus species acquire a
distinctive three-band pattern. One end contains an orange-brown plug, the central area has bands of white, and the opposite end appears black.
The future of E. nassaui as an effective biological control agent of P. charybdis is now in doubt. However, there is hope that the new species of Neopolycystus may instead assume some of its regulatory role. Certain species of Neopolycystus are believed to be immune to attack by B. albifunicle . If this is also true of the new species, it will be free to assist in controlling the tortoise beetle and many other paropsines that may enter this country in the future.
Both new species have so far been found only in the central North Island, but any tree growers with eucalypt species susceptible to P. charybdis should be vigilant for evidence of excessive defoliation in future seasons.
(Brendan Murphy, Forest Research)
* Identifications confirmed, respectively, by Jo Berry (Landcare New
Zealand) and John LaSalle (Australian National Insect Collection).
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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