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

Abstract

The eucalyptus tortoise beetle (Paropsis charybdis) egg parasitoid Enoggera nassaui is distributed throughout New Zealand The original population released in New Zealand was from Western Australia and was later augmented with two strains from Tasmania (Florentine Valley and Evandale) Analysis of E nassaui in 2001 showed a predominance of the Western Australian strain with only one Florentine Valley individual being detected In the present study collections of E nassaui specimens from P charybdis eggs made during spring 2010 were subjected to cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequence analysis The majority of individuals from Poronui Station (Taupo) were either the Tasmanian Florentine Valley strain or hybrids between the original Western Australian and Tasmanian strains It is uncertain whether this outcome will improve the biological control of Paropsis charybdis in New Zealand

Laboratory bioassays of new synthetic and microbial insecticides to control Eucalyptus tortoise beetle <i>Paropsis charybdis</i>

“…Until this additional research is undertaken, a recommendation to use spinetoram for managing P. charybdis in eucalypts cannot be made. Important research would include assessing the impact of spinetoram on beneicial biological control agents that contribute to the suppression of P. charybdis in New Zealand, such as Neopolycystus insectifurax, Enoggera nassaui (Withers et al 2011), generalist predators (e.g. Cleobora mellyi and Harmonia conformis) and predatory Hemiptera (Edwards & Suckling 1980).…”