Detection of a Tasmanian strain of the biological control agent <i>Enoggera nassaui</i> Girault (Hymenoptera Pteromalidae) using mitochondrial COI

Abstract

Paropsis charybdis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Hybridisation between populations of <i>Enoggera nassaui</i> in New Zealand

“…These results confirm that the Florentine Valley strain of E. nassaui established at the Poronui Station site from a release of approximately 1000 individuals made there in November 2000 (Murphy et al 2004). The small samples sizes from the other locations prevented a conclusion being drawn about whether this Tasmanian strain has spread to other areas or established at any of the other release sites, as it was not detected elsewhere.…”

“…The Evandale E. nassaui strain was not detected in this study; it is still unclear whether this strain established in New Zealand after it was released. (Murphy et al 2004) it has been increasingly difficult to collect P. charybdis egg batches that contain viable primary parasites, as there is only a small period of time between the first parasitism of E. nassaui and the rapid domination by B. albifunicle (on average 29 days later) (Mansfield et al 2011). Although the presence of the hyperparasitoid reduces the populations of E. nassaui, this parasitoid remains an important biological control agent for New Zealand, as eggs attacked by both parasitoid and hyperparasitoid still fail to hatch into P. charybdis larvae.…”

“…Results revealed a dominance of the Western Australian strain; the genotype of the Western Australian strain was based on a sample collected from Lyttelton in 1999 (Murphy et al 2004). One specimen of the Florentine Valley strain was collected but the Evandale strain was not detected (Murphy et al 2004). This provided evidence for establishment of the Florentine Valley strain released in May 2000.…”

“…The cytochrome oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial gene was used to distinguish between the different E. nassaui strains (Western Australia; Florentine Valley, Tasmania; and Evandale, Tasmania). Results revealed a dominance of the Western Australian strain; the genotype of the Western Australian strain was based on a sample collected from Lyttelton in 1999 (Murphy et al 2004). One specimen of the Florentine Valley strain was collected but the Evandale strain was not detected (Murphy et al 2004).…”

“…So two more strains were introduced from Tasmania (Florentine Valley and Evandale) and released into the North Island in May 2000. It was hypothesised that these strains would be more cold-hardy and improved over-wintering survival could lead to better control of the first spring generation of P. charybdis (Murphy et al 2004). In 2001 collections were made from Poronui Station, Taupo, to determine whether the Tasmanian E. nassaui strain had established.…”