Bulletin of Entomological Research (2009) 99, 193-206
P.J. De Barro and M.T. Coombs (2009)
Post-release evaluation of Eretmocerus hayati Zolnerowich and Rose in Australia
Bulletin of Entomological Research 99 (2), 193-206
Abstract: Bemisia tabaci biotype B is a significant pest of agriculture world-wide. It was first detected in Australia in 1994. Assessments of the potential of parasitoids already present in Australia to control this pest indicated that two species of Eretmocerus and 11 species of Encarsia were present, but they did not exert sufficient control with a combined average of 5.0±0.3% apparent parasitism of 4th instars. Further, only 25% of samples containing biotype B had parasitised individuals present. The surveys also identified that fewer B biotype were being parasitised compared with the Australian indigenous biotype. Overall, Er. mundus was the most abundant parasitoid prior to the introduction. Previous research indicated that Er. hayati offered the best prospects for Australia and, in October 2004, the first releases were made. Since then, levels of apparent parasitism have averaged 29.3±0.1% of 4th instars with only 24% of collections having no parasitism present. Eretmocerus hayati contributed 85% of the overall apparent parasitism. In addition, host plants of the whitefly with low or no parasitism prior to the release have had an order of magnitude increase in levels of parasitism. This study covers the establishment of the case to introduce Er. hayati and the post-release establishment period November 2004-March 2008.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Paul J. De Barro, Marc T. Coombs
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction
surveys/distribution/isolation
