PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Gumleaf skeletoniser biological control
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health News 214, March/April 2011.
A biological control agent for Uraba lugens (gumleaf skeletoniser), Cotesia urabae was released by Scion in the Auckland Domain in January 2011 (see FH News 212, January 2011).
Since the first release, another two releases of this parasitoid wasp have been made at the same site by University of Auckland graduate student Gonzalo Avila-Olesen.
Several cocoons of the wasp were found in the field one month after the first release. A close eye will be kept on the release site for cocoons in spring-summer. Finding them would indicate the wasp has survived winter.
Michelle Watson
 
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(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)