Biology and pest status of Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Gumleaf skeletoniser, Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), is a native Australian defoliator of many Eucalyptus and related species, and has recently established in New Zealand. Outbreaks of this species have caused significant damage to natural and commercially managed forests in Australia, and threaten plantations and amenity trees in New Zealand. With the arrival of this pest in New Zealand, research interest in U. lugens has increased. This stimulated this review and update, with previously unpublished data presented, on its taxonomy, biology, distribution, pest status and management. Host species and natural enemies are also listed, including previously unpublished records.

Olfactory cues used in host‐habitat location and host location by the parasitoid Cotesia urabae

“…In 2011, the solitary larval endoparasitoid Cotesia urabae Austin & Allen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was introduced into New Zealand as a biological control agent against Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) (Avila et al, 2013a), which is a lepidopteran pest endemic to Australia that causes severe damage to Eucalyptus spp. (Berndt & Allen, 2010;Avila et al, 2013a). Cotesia urabae is believed to be host specific to U. lugens (Allen, 1990b), and is now confirmed as established in New Zealand (Avila et al, 2015).…”

Identification of olfactory receptor neurons in Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) and its implications for host range

“…The gum leaf skeletonizer, Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), is oligophagous, feeding mostly on many Eucalyptus and closely related Australian species in the Myrtaceae (Corymbia calophylla, Corymbia ciriodora, Corymbia ficifolia, Corymbia intermedia, Lophostemon confertus and Lophostemon sauveolens) (Cobbinah, 1978;Farr, 2002;Potter and Stephens, 2005;Berndt and Allen, 2010). This species, native to Australia, invaded into New Zealand around 1995 and is now well established in the northern area of New Zealand (Suckling et al, 2005).…”

Stem injection of a systemic insecticide to control Uraba lugens on urban Lophostemon confertus trees

“…Two separate trials were conducted in the Auckland region, one each during the period April to June of 2009 and 2010. Both trials were conducted on Lophostemon confertus , a commonly planted street tree in Auckland that suffers significant U. lugens damage 22. The trial set‐up, at the start of the second generation of U. lugens , enabled trees to be injected so that peak insecticide coincided with hatching and the presence of first‐ to fifth‐instar larvae.…”

“…This change in feeding behaviour and mobility is likely to affect the degree of insecticide exposure, the level of choice and the lethal dose required when feeding on systemically treated foliage. In New Zealand, U. lugens has two generations each year, with larvae present from December to March (summer generation) and from April to October (winter generation) 22…”