Conservation of two predator species for biological control ofChrysophtharta bimaculata (Col.: Chrysomelidae) in tasmanian forests |
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Authors: | R K Mensah J L Madden |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252 C, 7001 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia;(2) Present address: Agricultural Research Station, NSW Agriculture, PMB Myall Vale, 2390 Narrabri, NSW, Australia |
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Abstract: | Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a major defoliator of regeneration eucalypt trees in Tasmania causing a significant reduction in height and diameter increment of trees which reduces wood volume per hectare. A study to conserve and enhance the efficiency of coccinellid species chieflyCleobora mellyi (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and the cantharid,Chauliognathus pulchellus (Macleay) (Coleoptera: Cantharidae), for the biological control ofC. bimaculata was conducted in young regeneration forests in southern Tasmania from 1991–92. Cantharid adults and coccinellid adults and larvae feed onC. bimaculata eggs and, to a lesser extent, young larvae. The study found that coccinellids were more active throughout the egg and early (1st and 2nd) stage ofC. bimaculata. The cantharid, however was active only during the egg stage of the prey and then disappeared from the plantation. The coccinellids were therefore the most useful predators, but their population declined when the prey reached the 3rd and 4th stages. As shortage of food may account for this decline, supplementary food was provided in the form of sucrose sprays or sugar granules at a feeding station. This resulted in the retention of both predators and particularly the coccinellids and enhanced their efficacy. |
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Keywords: | biological control cantharid supplementary food coccinellids |
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