Abstract

During 1991-2 Microctonus hyperodae was released at four sites in Otago and Southland, New Zealand, as a biological control agent of Listronotus bonariensis (Argentine stem weevil). The parasitoid was first recovered from the field 17 and 19 months after release at Ophir and Sutton respectively. By April 1996 parasitism levels in L. bonariensis had reached 40% at Ophir and 33% at Sutton but radial sampling indicated that dispersal was limited to within a 1 km radius at Ophir and a 500 m radius at Sutton. No parasitism of non-target weevils by M. hyperodae has been recorded at either site. To date M. hyperodae has not been recovered from release sites near Mosgiel and Gore. The establishment levels and dispersal rates in Otago are less than those measured in Canterbury and Waikato and possible reasons for this are discussed.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.