Open AccessREARING, RELEASE AND RECOVERY OF MICROCTONUS AETHIOPOIDES LOAN (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) IMPORTED FOR THE CONTROL OF SITONA DISCOIDEUS GYLLENHAL (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) IN SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA
Author(s) -
Cullen J. M.,
Hopkins D. C.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1982.tb01814.x
Subject(s) - braconidae , biology , curculionidae , biological pest control , hymenoptera , host (biology) , parasitoid , aestivation , ecology , zoology
The braconid parasite Microctonus aethiopoides was imported from Morocco in 1976 and released at sites in S.A. and N.S.W. in 1977 and 1978 for the biological control of Sitona discoideus. Rearing, release and recovery methods are described, including techniques necessary to overcome the problems posed by the aestivation of the host. The parasite has become established at several sites and is a promising control agent with a high searching capacity and rapid rate of increase relative to its host.