The effects of simulated and natural rainfall on cochineal insects (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae): colony distribution and survival on cactus cladodes

ABSTRACT. 1. The distribution of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) colonies on Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller cladodes collected during a prolonged drought, was recorded for the proximal and distal portions of the cladodes, for the exposed and sheltered surfaces, the edges, and in relation to the proximity of the colonies to areoles at the base of the thorns.
2. Most of the colonies were found on the more sheltered parts of the cladodes and a disproportionately large number of the colonies on exposed surfaces had settled below the areoles.
3. Individuals in colonies on the exposed surfaces were all protected by a relatively hard, compacted wax cover and were thus less vulnerable to simulated rainfall than those on sheltered surfaces. Thorns provided some protection from simulated rainfall for individuals in colonies on exposed surfaces, but not for individuals on sheltered surfaces.
4. Natural rainfall greatly reduced the numbers of colonies, but did not significantly change the distribution of the colonies on the cactus cladodes.
5. Rainfall does not explain the observed distribution of D. opuntiae colonies on the cladodes, but does explain the poor performance of cochineal insects as biological control agents of prickly pear cacti in high rainfall areas.     

The effects of simulated rainfall on cochineal insects (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae): colony composition and survival on cactus cladodes

ABSTRACT. 1. A rainfall simulator is described that was used to investigate the effects of rainfall on the cochineal insect Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell). This species occurs in discrete colonies that are protected by a copious covering of opaque'woolly'wax, and is the most important biological control agent of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller, in South Africa.
2. We record the composition of cochineal colonies (stage and number of individuals) in relation to colony size to allow accurate predictions of colony composition from size measurements of the intact, wax-covered colonies before their exposure to rainfall.
3. Even short exposures (15 min) to simulated rainfall (delivered at a rate of about 50 mm/h) resulted in wax erosion, and the effect was most marked in small, recently established colonies. Coverings of compacted wax protected the mature colonies from erosion.
4. The number of colonies that were washed off the plant was a function of colony size and the duration of exposure to simulated rainfall. Most of the small, recently established colonies were washed from the plants after 120 min. All of the large, mature colonies, albeit badly mutilated and containing far fewer individuals, remained on the plants even after 240 min exposure.
5. Survival of individuals, in colonies of all sizes, was less than about 40% after short bouts of rainfall (30 min). First- and second-instar individuals accounted for most of the observed mortalities, and mortality of all stages increased with increasing rainfall duration.
6. These observations provide a partial explanation for the poor performance of D. opuntiae as a biological control agent of cacti in higher-rainfall areas.     

Long-term population studies and the development of an integrated management programme for control of Opuntia stricta in Kruger National Park, South Africa

1. A cactus, Opuntia stricta , has invaded almost 16 000 ha of conserved, natural habitatand has become a major weed problem in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa.
2. The main objectives in the control of O. stricta are to reduce the density of the weed and to curb long-range dispersal of seeds by preventing young plants from reaching the size (28 cladodes) at which they start to produce fruits.
3. Herbicides have failed to provide satisfactory control of O. stricta because the weed infestations are replenished from seeds in the soil and from small plants that are overlooked during spraying.
4. A phycitid moth, Cactoblastis cactorum , was released in KNP during 1988 in an attempt to control O. stricta biologically.
5. Population counts of the biological control agent and of the weed over a 5-year period showed that, even though C. cactorum has not provided complete control of O. stricta in KNP, the moderate levels of larval damage have stunted the growth of O. stricta and have considerably extended the time that the young plants take to reach sexual maturity.
6. Comparisons of modelled (i.e. with no C. cactorum ) and actual populations of O. stricta showed that C. cactorum is making a substantial contribution to the control of O. stricta in residual infestations of the weed that have been treated with herbicides.
7. The need for long-term evaluation studies in biological weed control is demon strated by the development of an integrated management programme for effective control of O. stricta .     

Prospects for biological control of cactus weeds in Namibia

Australia and South Africa have a long history of sharing successful biocontrol agents for cactus weeds but other countries, such as Namibia, could also benefit. There are four biological control agents that are widely utilised in South Africa and/or Australia for the control of 10 invasive alien Cactaceae in Namibia.     

The biology of Dasineura dielsi Rübsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in relation to the biological control of Acacia cyclops (Mimosaceae) in South Africa

Abstract  Acacia cyclops is an invasive Australian tree in South Africa and a target for biological control using seed-reducing agents. In southern Australia, two gall-forming Cecidomyiidae, Dasineura dielsi (Small Fluted Galler) and Asphondylia sp., develop on the flowers and seeds of A. cyclops , respectively. The larvae of D. dielsi form woody fluted galls on the ovaries of flowers and prevent the development of fruit. Immature Asphondylia sp. develop in the loculi of green fruit and destroy developing seeds. Dasineura dielsi was selected as a biological control candidate for A. cyclops in South Africa and was approved for official release after host specificity evaluation and consideration of potential conflicts of interest. Dasineura dielsi naturalised in South Africa in 2001 and after 3 years dispersed up to 450 km from a single population at Stellenbosch, Western Cape. At sites where D. dielsi has been present longest, high gall densities occur on A. cyclops during the peak flower season in summer. Four hymenopterans, ? Synopeas sp., Mesopolobus sp., Torymus sp. and an unidentified Platygastridae, were reared from D. dielsi galls and are suspected parasitoids of the cecidomyiid, with incidence levels less than 10%. Monitoring is required to evaluate trends in the population status of D. dielsi , its parasitoids and seed production of A. cyclops . Importantly, field monitoring should determine the extent and nature of possible competitive interactions between D. dielsi and an introduced seed-feeding weevil, Melanterius servulus .     

Molecular evidence that fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis, Asteraceae) is of South African origin

ITS1 sequence data was obtained for fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) andS. lautus from Australia,S. madagascariensis andS. inaequidens from South Africa andS. madagascariensis from Madagascar. Despite the low level of variation (0.0–3.4%), these data further resolve the controversy concerning the identity and origin of fireweed. They confirm that fireweed is part of the South AfricanS. madagascariensis/S. inaequidens complex, and indicate that the infestation in Australia originated from South Africa as opposed to Madagascar. This will facilitate a resumption of biological control efforts in Australia and will direct surveys for control agents to South Africa.     

AGENTS INTRODUCED INTO AUSTRALIA FOR THE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF GASCARDIA DESTRUCTOR (NEWSTEAD) (HEMIPTERA: COCCIDAE)

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Six species of parasitic Hymenoptera and 1 predatory Lepidoptera from South Africa, and 1 Hymenoptera from New Zealand were liberated for biological control of white wax scale Gascardia destructor (Newstead) in Australia. Four of the South African Hymenoptera have become established and at least 2, Anicetus communis (Annecke) and Paraceraptrocerus nyasicus (Compere), are contributing to control of G. destructor in eastern Australia.     

Eight decades of invasion by Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) and its biological control in West Africa: the story so far

ABSTRACT

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae) is a perennial weedy shrub of neotropical origin and a serious biotic threat in its invasive range. The Asian-West Africa (AWA) biotype of C. odorata present in West Africa is both morphologically and genetically different from the southern African (SA) biotype. The AWA biotype was first introduced into Nigeria in the late 1930s and rapidly spread across West Africa. Currently, 12 of the 16 countries in West Africa have been invaded, with significant negative effects on indigenous flora and fauna. However, locals in West Africa have found several uses for the weed. As chemical, physical and other conventional methods were unsustainable, costly and largely ineffective, three biological control agents, Apion brunneonigrum (Coleoptera: Brentidae), Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Cecidochares connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae), have been released in West Africa between the 1970s and the early 2000s. However, only C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata established, contributing to the control of the weed, in six and four countries in West Africa respectively. Limited research funding, the absence of post-release evaluations of the established agents, and the ‘conflict of interest’ status of C. odorata (i.e. being beneficial for local use but damaging to ecosystem services and agriculture), are serious factors deterring the overall biological control effort. Here, using historical records and field surveys, we examine the invasion history, spread, impacts, and management of C. odorata in West Africa and make recommendations for the sustainable management of C. odorata in the region.     

The host range of three biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus (Lamarck) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and their potential as biological control agents of Cylindropuntia spp. (Cactaceae) in Australia

The host range of two newly imported biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus and their potential as biological control agents of Cylindropuntia spp. were investigated. A third biotype (‘imbricata’) of D. tomentosus previously released in Australia to control C. imbricata was also screened to determine if it will feed on other species of Cylindropuntia occurring in Australia. Efficacy trials were conducted to evaluate the ability of the biotypes to retard the growth or kill those plant species supporting development of four or more individuals in the host test trials. The host range of the three biotypes of D. tomentosus was restricted to the genus Cylindropuntia. However, the biotypes showed varying degrees of specificity within this genus. The ‘imbricata’ biotype was the only biotype to develop on Australian C. rosea provenances, albeit with a range of developmental success on all C. rosea provenances tested. The Spanish provenance supported the highest development success followed by Grawin (NSW), Lorne Station (NSW) while the least preferred was the Mexican provenance. The ‘rosea’ and ‘cholla’ biotypes were unsuitable candidates to control C. rosea in Australia. However, the efficacy trials showed that the ‘cholla’ biotype had a high impact on four of the eight naturalised Cylindropuntia species in Australia. This biotype established rapidly and the sustained feeding of one fecund female and her progeny killed potted plants of C. imbricata and C. fulgida at week 18. This biotype has the potential to be an effective agent against C. fulgida, C. imbricata, C. kleiniae and C. tunicata and, as a consequence, an application seeking its release in Australia has been lodged.     

Testing the hypothesis that a cochineal insect species (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) may have been displaced by a congeneric biological control agent from a different cactus host

In 1913, a cochineal insect species, Dactylopius ceylonicus (Green) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), was released in South Africa as a biological control agent against drooping prickly pear Opuntia monacantha. Later, in 1938, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) was used, together with several other biological control agents, to suppress populations of mission prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica. Both programmes achieved considerable success in alleviating these weed problems. In common with some other cochineal insect species, D. opuntiae is oligophagous which has led to allegations that it has competitively displaced D. ceylonicus on O. monacantha in South Africa. An investigation into this supposition showed that D. ceylonicus is still present at all of the seven sites where O. monacantha was monitored and that D. opuntiae was not found to occur on O. monacantha at any of the sites. Although D. opuntiae is able to use both O. monacantha and O. ficus-indica as hosts, under laboratory conditions its performance (developmental duration, survival and body mass of the females at maturity) was significantly inferior to that of D. ceylonicus on O. monacantha. These observations show that there is no evidence of the actual or potential displacement of D. ceylonicus by D. opuntiae on O. monacantha.     

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) use of Opuntia host species in Argentina

A central aspect in biology and ecology is to determine the combination of factors that influence the distribution of species. In the case of herbivorous insects, the distribution of herbivorous species is necessarily associated with their host plants, a pattern often referred to as “host use”. Novel interactions that arise during a biological invasion can have important effects on the dynamics of that invasion, especially if it is driven by only a subset of the genetic diversity of the invading species. This is the case of the wellknown South American cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, a successfully used biological control agent of non-native Opuntia cacti in Australia and South Africa, but now threatening unique cactus diversity and agriculture in North America. We studied the patterns of host plant usage by and host plant availability for C. cactorum under field conditions in Argentina, covering the geographical range of the four C. cactorum phylogroups and the recently documented southern distribution. We also assessed female preference and larval performance under laboratory conditions. Cactoblastis cactorum showed a geographical pattern of host use in its native range that was related to host availability. Laboratory assays of female preference showed some degree of preference to oviposit on O. ficus-indica, O. leucotricha and O. quimilo, but it was not positively correlated with the performance of larvae. These findings contribute to the further comprehension of the host use dynamics of C. cactorum in the insects’ native range, and could provide useful information for assessing the risk and future spread of this insect in North America.     

Historical biogeography of amphibian parasites, genus Polystoma (Monogenea: Polystomatidae)

Aim  The present-day geographical distribution of parasites with a direct biological life cycle is guided mostly by the past dispersal and vicariance events that have affected their hosts. The Amphibia– Polystoma association (which satisfies these criteria) also exhibits original traits, such as host specificity and world-wide distribution. This biological model was thus chosen to investigate the common historical biogeography of its widespread representatives.
Location  North and South America, Eurasia and Africa.
Methods  We investigated the phylogeny of 12 species of neobatrachian parasites sampled from North and South America, Eurasia and Africa. Hosts belonged mostly to hyloids and ranoids of families Bufonidae, Hylidae, Leptodactylidae, Ranidae and Hyperoliidae. Phylogenetic reconstructions were inferred from maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses from complete ITS1 sequences.
Results  The group of American species appeared paraphyletic with one species at the base of a Eurafrican clade, within which two lineages were seen: one composed of only Eurasian species, and the other of European and African species, with the two European species basal to an African clade.
Main conclusions  The route of Polystoma evolution is deduced from the phylogenetic tree and discussed in the light of host evolution. We conclude that Polystoma originated in South America on hyloids, after the separation of South America from Africa. The genus must have colonized North America in Palaeocene times and Eurasia by the mid-Cainozoic, taking advantage of the dispersal of either ancestral bufonids or hylids. Africa, however, appears to have been colonized more recently, during the Messinian period.     

Fungal associations in Asphondylia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) galls from Australia and South Africa: implications for biological control of invasive acacias

Gall-forming Asphondylia are well represented on Australian Acacia and have potential for biological control where Australian acacias cause ecological or economic harm, particularly South Africa. Asphondylia in Australia and South Africa are associated with communities of fungi in their galls. In Australia, Botryosphaeria dothidea (as its Dichomera synanamorph) is the most abundant and sometimes the only fungus present and is implicated as the primary species forming a mutualistic relationship with Asphondylia. In the combined analysis of ITS and elongation factor 1-α sequence data, isolates of B. dothidea from Australia and South Africa form distinct sub-clades. Female Asphondylia carry B. dothidea (as Dichomera conidia) in mycangia located posterior to sternite 7. While conidia are always present on field-collected specimens, laboratory-reared females rarely carry conidia. The mechanism and location of spore collection remains unresolved, but needs to be understood if Asphondylia species are to be utilised for biological control of invasive Australian acacias. As B. dothidea is a polyphagous plant pathogen capable of infecting crops of economic importance, including Acacia plantations, the introduction of novel strains of B. dothidea associated with biological control of acacia is undesirable, however endemic forms of the fungus could possibly be exploited by introduced Asphondylia.     

Selection of biological control agents for bridal creeper: a retrospective review

Abstract  We reviewed in retrospect the selection process of agents for the biological control of bridal creeper ( Asparagus asparagoides ) in Australia. Selection of agents was facilitated by first investing resources, mostly in South Africa, to clarify identification of the target weed, locate most suitable areas to search for natural enemies, make preliminary observations on phenology, host range and impact of natural enemies and experimentally demonstrate indirect impact of a foliage feeder on below-ground biomass of bridal creeper. Although only limited climate modelling was performed to predict abundance of prioritised agents in Australia, their widespread distribution in South Africa was a good indication that they were likely to establish. No attempts were made to predict possible levels of parasitism that could be encountered in Australia and no formal assessment was undertaken to decide in what order prioritised agents should be released. Three of the four agents prioritised have now been released in Australia. The rust fungus Puccinia myrsiphylli (Thüm.) G. Winter and leafhopper Zygina sp. have widely established and have already demonstrated their capacity to reduce significantly density of bridal creeper populations. It is still too early to determine the contribution that the third agent released, the Crioceris sp. leaf beetle, will make to the program.     

Population growth in some Mesostoma species (Turbellaria) predatory on mosquitoes

SUMMARY 1. Turbellarian predators of the genus Mesostoma prey on the aquatic stages of mosquitoes. In order to evaluate their potential as control agents, a comparison of population parameters has been made on three species from Australia, Africa and Papua New Guinea: M. appinum , M. zariae and M. timbunke.
2. The life cycle of these species is relatively short at higher temperature ranges (22–30°C) and varies from 12 to 35 days, depending on the temperature. M. appinum does not increase in numbers at 30°C, white M. timbunke is unable to reach sexual maturity at 15°C. M. appinum , but not M. zariae , multiplies slowly at 15°C, although both species survive at this temperature. The fastest population growth was obtained for M. appinum at 22°C, and for M. zariae and M. timbunke at 30°C. The doubling time for the population is about 6–7 days in the multivoltine species, M. appinum and M. zariae , and about 18.5 days in univoltine M. timbunke .
3. A significant part of the growing population is composed of immature individuals, which corresponds to the high values of the reproductive parameters R_o and r_m. In M. appinum and M. zariae , individuals rarely produce dormant resting eggs except under deteriorating conditions. M. timbunke produces only dormant eggs, and in this respect resembles arctic and subarctic species. A convergence of the reproductive modes between this equatorial species and the high latitude species might be interpreted as adaptation to harsh environments.
4. The overall population growth of all Mesostoma spp. is several times faster than in Dugesia dorotocephala and D. trigrina , other flatworms studied as potential biological control agents of mosquitoes     

Distribution and diversity of Russian wheat aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) biotypes in South Africa and Lesotho

Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was recorded for the first time in South Africa in 1978. In 2005, a second biotype, RWASA2, emerged, and here we report on the emergence of yet another biotype, found for the first time in 2009. The discovery of new Russian wheat aphid biotypes is a significant challenge to the wheat, Triticum aestivum L., industry in South Africa. Russian wheat aphid resistance in wheat, that offered wheat producers a long-term solution to Russian wheat aphid control, may no longer be effective in areas where the new biotypes occur. It is therefore critical to determine the diversity and extent of distribution of biotypes in South Africa to successfully deploy Russian wheat aphid resistance in wheat. Screening of 96 Russian wheat aphid clones resulted in identification of three Russian wheat aphid biotypes. Infestations of RWASA1 caused susceptible damage symptoms only in wheat entries containing the Dn3 gene. Infestations of RWASA2 caused susceptible damage symptoms in wheat entries containing Dn1, Dn2, Dn3, and Dn9 resistant genes. Based on the damage-rating scores for the seven resistance sources, a new biotype, which caused damage rating scores different from those for RWASA1 and RWASA2, was evident among the Russian wheat aphid populations tested. This new biotype is virulent to the same resistance sources as RWASA2 (Dn1, Dn2, Dn3, and Dn9), but it also has added virulence to Dn4, whereas RWASA2 is avirulent to this resistance source.     

Nine new species of Dasineura (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from flowers of Australian Acacia (Mimosaceae)

Abstract. Thirteen species of Australian acacias are invasive plants in agricultural and native vegetation areas of South Africa. Biological control programmes for Australian acacias in South Africa have been implemented and are aimed at suppressing reproductive vigour and, in some cases, vegetative growth of these weeds. Gall-forming midges are under consideration as potential biological control agents for invasive acacias in South Africa. Entomological surveys in southern Australia found a diverse cecidomyiid fauna associated with the buds, flowers and fruits of Acacia species. Nine new Dasineura species are described and two species, D. acaciaelongifoliae (Skuse) and D. dielsi Rübsaamen, are redescribed. The newly described taxa are D. fistulosa sp.n. , D. furcata sp.n. , D. glauca sp.n. , D. glomerata sp.n. , D. oldfieldii sp.n. , D. oshanesii sp.n. , D. pilifera sp.n. , D. rubiformis sp.n. and D. sulcata sp.n. All eleven species induce galls on ovaries and prevent the formation of fruit. Two general types of gall are caused. Type A comprises woody, tubular galls with larvae living inside ovaries (D. acaciaelongifoliae, D. dielsi, D. fistulosa, D. furcata, D. glauca, D. glomerata, D. oldfieldii). Type B includes soft-tissued, globose galls that belong to four subtypes: inflated, baglike, hairy galls with larvae living between ovaries (D. pilifera); pyriform, pubescent swellings with larvae living inside ovaries (D. rubiformis); globose, hairy, swellings with larvae living superficially on ovaries in ovoid chambers (D. oshanesii); and inconspicuous, glabrous swellings with larvae living superficially on ovaries in shallow groovelike chambers (D. sulcata). The gall types are associated with a particular pupation pattern. In type A galls, larvae pupate within larval chambers in galls, whereas in type B galls pupation takes place between ovaries in galls or in the soil beneath the host tree. Gall midges responsible for the same general gall type are morphologically related and differ from species causing the other gall type. Phylogenetic analysis of a 410 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene supports the division of the gall midge species into two groups except for D. sulcata, which appears as a subgroup of the group causing type A galls. The interspecific divergence values in group A species were between 0.5 and 3.9% with intraspecific divergence estimates of 0–0.2%. Gall midges causing type B galls had interspecific divergence values of 4.6–7.3% and intraspecific divergence values of 0–3.7%. Closely related biology and morphology together with low cytochrome b divergence estimates suggest a more recent speciation in group A when compared with species of group B. Dasineura rubiformis and D. dielsi are proposed as potential biological control agents for Acacia mearnsii De Wild. and Acacia cyclops A. Cunn. ex G. Don, respectively, in South Africa due to their narrow host range and ability to form high population densities that reduce seed formation. Both species produce galls with low biomass, which makes them compatible with commercial exploitation of their host species in Africa.     

Assessing the true status of the fish species Labeo cylindricus (Peters 1868) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Lake Baringo,Kenya

Eutrophication contributes to the proliferation of alien invasive weed species such as water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. Although the South American moth Niphograpta albiguttalis was released in South Africa in 1990 as a biological control agent against water hyacinth, no post-release evaluations have yet been conducted here. The impact of N. albiguttalis on water hyacinth growth was quantified under low-, medium- and high-nutrient concentrations in a greenhouse experiment. Niphograpta albiguttalis was damaging to water hyacinth in all three nutrient treatments, but significant damage in most plant parameters was found only under high-nutrient treatments. However, E. crassipes plants grown in high-nutrient water were healthier, and presumably had higher fitness, than plants not exposed to herbivory at lower-nutrient levels. Niphograpta albiguttalis is likely to be most damaging to water hyacinth in eutrophic water systems, but the damage will not result in acceptable levels of control because of the plant's high productivity under these conditions. Niphograpta albiguttalis is a suitable agent for controlling water hyacinth infestations in eutrophic water systems, but should be used in combination with other biological control agents and included in an integrated management plan also involving herbicidal control and water quality management.     

The renowned cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum: its natural history and threat to native Opuntia floras in Mexico and the United States of America

Abstract. The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Phycitidae) is native to South America. It was released as a biological control agent against alien Opuntia- cacti in Australia in the 1920s, then in southern Africa, and latterly on several islands, including those in the Caribbean. In 1989, the cactus moth was discovered in Florida, in the United States of America, where it is now threatening the survival of indigenous Opuntia species. In this paper we identify some of the attributes that have contributed to the success of C. cactorum as a weed biological control agent. Many of these same qualities account for the problems that C. cactorum has caused in Florida and predispose it as a major threat to the speciose, native Opuntia- floras of Central and North America. An estimated 79 platyopuntia (prickly pear) species are at risk: 51 species endemic to Mexico; nine species endemic to the United States; and 19 species common to both countries. Many cultivated and wild Opuntia species, that are used in various ways, are also vulnerable to attack by C. cactorum , including at least 25 species in Mexico and three species in the United States, particularly the widely exploited and culturally important cultivars of O. ficus-indica . Some control strategies are suggested that may minimize the risk and consequences of invasion by the cactus moth. The wider implications of this threat to the practice of weed biological control and to conservation are discussed.     

A New Species of Jarra Marsh and Austin (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with Comments on Other Parasitoids Associated with the Eucalypt Longicorn Phoracantha semipunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Jarra painei sp.n. is described from Victoria and South Australia, reared from larvae of Phoracantha semipunctata (Cerambycidae). This beetle has become an exotic pest on eucalypt trees in California, South America, Africa and the Mediterranean region. J. painei is the fourth species of Jarra to be associated with Phoracantha , and it is described to support assessment of its biological control potential in California. the relationships of J. painei are discussed and a key presented to separate it from other described Jarra species. Information is presented on other parasitoids associated with Phoracantha in southeastern Australia. Xorides australiensis (Szépligeti) (Ichneumonidae) is reared from P. semipunctata for the first time.