Parasitism of gum leaf skeletoniser ( Uraba lugens) in New Zealand

Abstract

The gum leaf skeletoniser (Uraba lugens) a significant pest in Australia is now well established on Eucalyptus spp in the Auckland region One larval parasitoid (Meteorus pulchricornis) and two pupal parasitoids (Xanthopimpla rhopaloceros and Anacis sp) were recorded from U lugens collected in southwest Auckland Parasitism of M pulchricornis and X rhopaloceros against U lugens and other hosts in New Zealand (Helicoverpa armigera and Epiphyas postvittana respectively) was compared using nochoice and choice tests under controlled conditions Uraba lugens is a suitable host for development of both M pulchricornis and X rhopaloceros Choice tests revealed that M pulchricornis prefers H armigera larvae to U lugens Attack by X rhopaloceros occurred only when host pupae were presented within their cocoons Meteorus pulchricornis may compete with proposed classical biological control agents introduced against U lugens while X rhopaloceros is more likely to complement them