Status,mortality, and movements of grey teal (Anas gibberifrons) in New Zealand

Grey teal (Anas gibberifrons gracilis Buller, 1869) are widely distributed in New Zealand, the greatest concentrations occurring in the South Auckland, Waikato, Hawke's Bay, and Otago districts. Their preferred habitat is shallow freshwater lakes, lagoons, and swamps with extensive marginal cover. The New Zealand population is estimated to be less than 20 000. Grey teal disperse widely in all directions, in some instances for long distances. The composition of flocks changes continually, and pair‐bonds are apparently retained from season to season. There is an almost complete turnover of the population every 4 years. The survival of juveniles in the post‐fledging period is higher for heavier than for light‐weight young. Mortality from hunting is probably additional to the mortality from other causes.     

A survey of mealybugs and their natural enemies in horticultural crops in North Island,New Zealand,with implications for biological control

More than 1300 mealybugs and their natural enemies were collected from six crops (apples, pears, nashi, citrus, persimmon and grapes) at 91 sites. Pseudococcus longispinus and P. calceolariae were the commonest species in all crops, except in pipfruit in Hawkes Bay, inhabited almost exclusively by P. affinis. These three species accounted for more than 99% of all mealybugs collected. Mealybugs were attacked by 14 species of natural enemy, only two of which had been deliberately introduced to New Zealand. Six species of Encyrtidae were reared. Anagyrus fusciventris was recorded from New Zealand for the first time. Parectromoides varipes was newly identified as a primary parasitoid of mealybugs, and males of this species and Gyranusoidea advena, previously unknown, were found. Both species, together with Tetracnemoidea sydneyensis, T. peregrina and T. brevicornis, and Coccophagus gurneyi (Aphelinidae) and two species of Ophelosia (Pteromalidae) were widespread throughout the surveyed regions. Common predators included Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Col: Coccinellidae), Cryptoscenea australiensis (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) and Diadiplosis koebelei (Dipt: Cecidomyiidae). Hyperparasitoids were extremely rare. Five species of ants were recorded tending mealybugs, but none is known to be disruptive to mealybug natural enemies. The implications of these data for biological control of mealybug pests in horticultural crops is discussed, and it is concluded that Pseudaphycus maculipennis (Hym: Encyrtidae) should be introduced against P. affinis. No other importations are recommended. The activity of existing species should be encouraged in future integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, by, for example, distributing A. fusciventris around the country, and commercializing the mass rearing and release of C. montrouzieri.     

Parasitoids of obscure mealybug,Pseudococcus viburni (Hem.: Pseudococcidae) in California: establishment of Pseudaphycus flavidulus (Hym.: Encyrtidae) and discussion of related parasitoid species

To improve natural suppression of the obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), the parasitoids Pseudaphycus flavidulus (Brèthes) and Leptomastix epona (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) of Chilean origin were released in California's Central Coast vineyards from 1997 to 1999. A survey for parasitoids of P. viburni was conducted in the Edna Valley appellation wine grape region from 2005 to 2007, 6–8 years after classical biological control releases were discontinued. Two survey methods were used. First, field collections of obscure mealybugs from commercial vineyard blocks (2005–2007) and, second, placement of “sentinel mealybugs” on potted (1 L) grape vines (2006 only). From both survey methods, P. flavidulus was recovered, albeit levels of parasitism were low (less than 0.6%). We also placed longtailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti), on potted plants concurrent with placement of sentinel obscure mealybugs in the vineyard in order to measure parasitoid activity on this closely-related mealybug species. No P. flavidulus were recovered from P. longispinus. Other encyrtid parasitoids reared from either P. viburni or P. longispinus were Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault), Leptomastix dactylopii Howard, Leptomastidea abnormis (Girault), Coccidoxenoides perminutus Girault, and Tetracnemoidea peregrina (Compere). A hyperparasitoid, Chaetocerus sp., was also reared. The data are discussed with respect to biological control of vineyard mealybugs and newly developed controls for the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Because Pseudaphycus species reared from mealybugs are superficially very similar a taxonomic key and discussion of host relationships for selected Pseudaphycus species are provided.     

Suitability of five mealybug species (Hemiptera,Pseudococcidae) as hosts for the solitary parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci is an endoparasitoid which has been used as a biological control agent of mealybug pests. In this study, we compared the suitability of five mealybugs species with different phylogenetic relationships and geographical origins as hosts of this parasitoid. The selected mealybugs were: (1) a Mediterranean-native species, Planococcus ficus, sharing a long co-evolutionary history with the parasitoid; (2) three exotic species, the Afrotropical Planococcus citri, the Australasian Pseudococcus calceolariae and the Neotropical Pseudococcus viburni, with a recent history; and (3) the Neotropical Phenacoccus peruvianus, with no previous common history with the parasitoid. Host suitability was assessed based on different fitness parameters, such as body size, developmental time, emergence rate and sex ratio. The parasitoid was able to complete development in all mealybug species. Nevertheless, its emergence rate significantly varied among mealybug species, with the highest values observed in Pl. ficus and Pl. citri, intermediate values in Ps. calceolariae and the lowest ones in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. The body size of adult wasp females varied with host suitability and was positively correlated with other measures of parasitoid fitness, including the emergence rate and the sex ratio. The parasitoid developmental time differed among mealybug species but did not correlate with any other measure of fitness. A female biased sex ratio was found in the parasitoid progeny emerged from all mealybug species, except in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. There was a direct relationship between the proportion of females in the parasitoid progeny and the emergence rate.     

Mating Behavior and Performance in the Two Cosmopolitan Mealybug Species Planococcus citri and Pseudococcus calceolariae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Mating strategies of mealybugs were investigated using two heterogeneric cosmopolitan species as case study: Planococcus citri (Risso) and Pseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell). Male mating behavior of the studied species differed in respect to mate selection, and frequency and duration of copulation. Females played an active role in mate selection, by either facilitating or resisting copulation. This is a first evidence of female sexual active behavior in scale insects. In both species, male predisposition to mate was affected by previous exposition to light. The frequency of courtship and copulation decreased with the age of females for Pl. citri but not for Ps. calceolariae. Mating frequency increased with female colony density in both species.     

Defense Response of Native and Alien Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Against the Solitary Parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

The host behavioral and immune (encapsulation) defenses against the parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci were compared for five mealybug species with different phylogenetic relationships and geographical origins: i) a Mediterranean native mealybug species, Planococcus ficus, with a long co-evolutionary history with the parasitoid; ii) three alien mealybugs species, Planococcus citri, Pseudococcus calceolariae and Pseudococcus viburni, with a more recent co-evolutionary history; and iii) a fourth alien mealybug species, Phenacoccus peruvianus, with no previous common history with the parasitoid. Three host defense behaviors were registered: abdominal flipping, reflex bleeding and walking away. The native host Pl. ficus and its congener Pl. citri exhibited the lowest probability of defense behavior (0.11?±?0.01 and 0.09?±?0.01 respectively), whereas the highest value was observed in P. viburni (0.31?±?0.02). Intermediate levels of defense behavior were registered for Ps. calceolariae, and Ph. peruvianus. The probability of parasitoid encapsulation was lowest and highest for two alien host species, Ph. peruvianus (0.20?±?0.07) and Ps. viburni (0.86?±?0.05), respectively. The native host Pl. ficus, its congener Pl. citri and Ps. calceolariae showed intermediate values (0.43?±?0.07, 0.52?±?0.06, and 0.45?±?0.09, respectively). The results are relevant with respect to biological control and to understand possible evolutionary processes involved in host range of A. sp. nr. pseudococci.     

Pseudococcus orchidicola (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a newly found mealybug pest,confused with P. longispinus in Korea

Pseudococcus longispinus, a notorious cosmopolitan pest species of mealybugs, known to be distributed indoors in Korea since 2002, is found to be mixed with another species, Pseudococcus orchidicola. Finding P. orchidicola as a pest of tropical plants in Korea is rather unexpected because of their main distribution in the Pacific area and South Asia. However, all the available information from morphology, molecule and advice on identification from mealybug specialists indicates this is the best match for P. orchidicola. Morphological, molecular and some biological notes on P. orchidicola are provided with some adult and nymphal images, and compared with P. longispinus. A full discussion mainly on identity and distribution of P. orchidicola is given.     

Hundred and sixty years of Australian lady bird beetle Crypotolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant – a global view

ABSTRACT

The Australian lady bird beetle Cryotolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was first discovered in 1853 in Queensland and New South Wales of Eastern Australia and New Caledonia. It has provided very good control of the sucking insect pests, particularly soft scales and mealybugs at different locations in more than 60 countries since its introduction in 1892 from Australia to California. Besides, C. montrouzieri is also known to feed on whiteflies, aphids, hard scales, dactylopiids, eriococcids, margorodids, psyllids, etc. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri takes 30 days to complete life cycle at 30°C. Pupae of C. montrouzieri are stored for about 20 days without having any adverse effect on the fecundity of the resulting adults. Potato sprouts or ripe pumpkins have been used as laboratory hosts for multiplication of mealybugs and C. montrouzieri. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri provided very good control of mealybugs and soft scales in the absence of ants. It plays a great role in the suppression of soft scales belonging to the genus Pulvinaria and the mealybugs Planococcus citri, Ferrisia virgata, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Nipaecoccus viridis, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi, Coccidihystrix insolita, Pseudococcus comstocki, Pseudococcus obscures, Pseudococcus aurilanatus, etc. Botanicals, biopesticide mineral oils, insecticidal soaps, conventional insecticides dichlorvos and chlorpyriphos and the new molecules spirotetramat, imidacloprid, abamectin, fluvalinate, profenophos, ethnfenprox, flufenoxuron, spinosad and bufrofezin appear to be safer to the adults and grubs of C. montrouzieri. Therefore, these chemicals are to be integrated cautiously in the management of mealybugs and soft scales.     

The presence of gigartinine in a New Zealand Gracilaria species

Gigartinine, 5-(3-amidinoureido)-2-aminovaleric acid, serves as achemotaxonomic marker to distinguish two species of Gracilaria withvery similar morphologies. Gigartinine was identified by ¹³C-NMRspectroscopy and amino acid analysis of a cold-water extract from Gracilaria sp. nov., collected from a sheltered harbour localityat Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. Levels of this amino acid,naturally ca. 5% by dry weight of seaweed, were able to be depleted andthen restored during a nitrogen pulsing experiment. In contrast, native andpulsed samples of Gracilaria chilensis from Point Arthur, Wellingtonshowed no extractable gigartinine. Although these two species are unableto be distinguished in the field by morphological characteristics, they canbe separated by the presence or absence of gigartinine.     

Evaluation of the synthetic sex pheromone of the obscure mealybug,Pseudococcus viburni,as an attractant to conspecific males,and to females of the parasitoid Acerophagus maculipennis

The obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a cosmopolitan pest. In New Zealand, recently introduced management tools include the host‐specific parasitoid Acerophagus maculipennis (Mercet) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) established in 2001, and pheromone‐baited monitoring traps available since 2005. Red delta traps baited with rubber septum lures impregnated with 4.0 μg of the mealybug synthetic sex pheromone, placed in apple orchards in Hawke's Bay and Nelson, trapped both male P. viburni and female A. maculipennis. Two generations of both species per year were discernible, but numbers were low in spring and parasitoids were not trapped during winter (June to September). Male P. viburni catches reached a plateau at a pheromone dose of ca. 1.0 μg per lure but numbers of A. maculipennis per trap increased up to 100 μg per lure, the maximum dose tested. A mathematical model showed that the lures had a half‐life of about 7.4 days and were most attractive to P. viburni with a dose of 0.19 μg, and that the trap effectiveness decreased rapidly once the release rate dropped below the optimum. The model also predicted that the initial pheromone dose should be increased from 0.19 to 5.41 μg per lure as the desired period of deployment increased from 0 to 9 weeks. A dose of 4.0 μg had an initial relative effectiveness of about 55%, reached peak effectiveness after about 5 weeks, and fell to 55% relative effectiveness again after about 8.3 weeks. We conclude that an initial pheromone load of 4.0 μg is appropriate for practical monitoring of P. viburni during the New Zealand summer. Future applications of the sex pheromone for managing the pest and parasitoid are discussed.     

Distribution and abundance of fish in a rocky reef environment at the subantarctic Auckland Islands,New Zealand

Summary The distribution and abundance of fish in a rocky reef environment were investigated at the subantarctic Auckland Islands of New Zealand, in June 1986. Fish were counted in transects and specimens were taken. The diversity and abundance of species of large reef fish was low; a total of eight species were observed. Most fish were benthic carnivores. These findings are similar to studies of reef fish in subantarctic waters of Chile. Large differences in species composition were found among locations at the Auckland Islands. The number of species and their abundance was highest near exposed headlands. Few fish were found on reefs at more sheltered inlets. At most locations the nototheniids Paranotothenia angustata and P. microlepidota ranked first in abundance at deep and shallow sites. There were some species that showed differences in abundance with depth. Highest abundance of Bovichthys variegatus, Latridopsis cilaris, Latris lineata and Pseudolabrus cinctus were in deep water on reefs. Large numbers of juvenile P. microlepidota were found only in shallow water. No depth related patterns were found for P. angustata and Mendosoma lineatum. Specimens, other than those counted in transects, were also collected. There were small fish, 4 species of tripterygiids, 1 gobiescocid and 2 syngnathids. The Auckland Islands had closer zoogeographic affinities with islands of temperate and subantarctic New Zealand than with other landmasses of the westwind drift. Although most fish found at the Auckland Islands are found also in temperature New Zealand, the converse of this pattern was not found. The proportional representation of species and trophic groups differed markedly between these regions.     

First record of the genus Dudresnaya (Dumontiaceae,Rhodophyta) in New Zealand waters

The genus Dudresnaya is reported for the first time in New Zealand waters. Samples were collected in Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand, on rhodolith beds and at the edge of a rocky reef, between ?5 and ?10 m depth. The species was identified by morphological and anatomical characters as Dudresnaya capricornica and its identity was confirmed by molecular sequence data. This species is characterized by terete radial branches, outer cortical cells cylindrical, presence of hexagonal crystals, lack of annulation and mucilage coat on auxiliary cell branches, oblique division of carpogonium and cystocarps no cleft. The rbcL phylogenetic analysis showed the genus Dudresnaya is strongly supported and sister to taxa in the family Dumontiaceae. This family is also closely related to the families Rhizophillidaceae and Kallymeniaceae. This is the first record of the family Dumontiaceae in New Zealand.     

Mismatch of morphological and molecular identifications in native and invasive subspecies of Codium fragile (Bryopsidophyceae,Chlorophyta)

Several subspecies are defined within Codium fragile, including the invasive C. fragile ssp. fragile, first reported in New Zealand in 1973. An endemic subspecies, C. fragile ssp. novae‐zelandiae, is also found throughout New Zealand. The two subspecies exhibit morphological and molecular variation, although these have never been evaluated together. We compared variation between subspecies at locations in Auckland, identifying subspecies using rps3‐rpl16 DNA sequence data, and assessing gross morphological differences, anatomical utricle characters and morphometrics. The taxonomic utility of the morphometric data sets was assessed by linear discriminant analysis. Utricle characters and measurements varied within individual thalli and between different preservation methods. The phenotypes of both subspecies were highly variable and influenced by environment. Accurate subspecies delimitation using morphological data was not possible; the discriminant analyses performed no better than chance for all combinations of the morphological data. Specimens from New Zealand, Canada, Australia and Ireland were sequenced using both the rps3‐rpl16 and tufA plastid markers. The tufA elongation factor was shown to be a good candidate for differentiating subspecies of C. fragile. This marker is twice the length of the rps3‐rpl16 spacer, shows greater variation between ssp. fragile and novae‐zelandiae, and is less prone to sequencing error. A simple restriction enzyme digest of the tufA amplicon can distinguish ssp. fragile and ssp. novae‐zelandiae. Our study expands the known range of the ssp. fragile in New Zealand, including the first record of this subspecies from the west coast of Auckland, and points to a need to re‐evaluate morphological and molecular criteria for subspecies currently defined within C. fragile.     

Pre‐release host range determination of the parasitoid Allotropa burrelli for the biocontrol of Pseudococcus comstocki in France

We performed “no‐choice” tests to study the host range of the parasitoid Allotropa burrelli (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) for use against the Comstock mealybug, Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in Southern France. We tested three Pseudococcidae species as potential non‐target hosts: two species from the same genus (Pseudococcus longispinus and Pseudococcus viburni) and Planococcus citri. Allotropa burrelli did not parasitize any of the non‐target mealybug species tested. No attempt of oviposition was recorded for the three species tested during the first 20 min of parasitoid release and no parasitism occurred in 6–8 hr of exposure of the mealybugs to the parasitoid.     

Impacts of Argentine ants on mealybugs and their natural enemies in California's coastal vineyards

Abstract 1. The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, tends honeydew‐excreting homopterans and can disrupt the activity of their natural enemies. This mutualism is often cited for increases in homopteran densities; however, the ant’s impact on natural enemies may be only one of several effects of ant tending that alters insect densities. To test for the variable impacts of ants, mealybug and natural enemy densities were monitored on ant‐tended and ant‐excluded vines in two California vineyard regions. 2. Ant tending increased densities of the obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni, and lowered densities of its encyrtid parasitoids Pseudaphycus flavidulus and Leptomastix epona. Differences in parasitoid recovery rates suggest that P. flavidulus was better able to forage on ant‐tended vines than L. epona. 3. Densities of a coccinellid predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, were higher on ant‐tended vines, where there were more mealybugs. Together with behavioural observations, the results showed that this predator can forage in patches of ant‐tended mealybugs, and that it effectively mimics mealybugs to avoid disturbance by ants. 4. Ant tending increased densities of the grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus, by increasing the number of surviving first‐instar mealybugs. Parasitoids were nearly absent from the vineyard infested with P. maritimus. Therefore, ants improved either mealybug habitat or fitness. 5. There was no difference in mealybug distribution or seasonal development patterns on ant‐tended and ant‐excluded vines, indicating that ants did not move mealybugs to better feeding locations or create a spatial refuge from natural enemies. 6. Results showed that while Argentine ants were clearly associated with increased mealybug densities, it is not a simple matter of disrupting natural enemies. Instead, ant tending includes benefits independent of the effect on natural enemies. Moreover, the effects on different natural enemy species varied, as some species thrive in the presence of ants.     

Phylogeny of New Zealand hepialid moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) inferred from a cladistic analysis of morphological data

The phylogeny of the New Zealand hepialid moths was estimated from a cladistic analysis of sixty‐three morphological characters, from all life cycle stages. One hundred and sixteen maximum parsimony trees were produced. The phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that the currently recognized generic concepts, and the four informal lineages hypothesized in a previous morphological taxonomic revision, were monophyletic. The relationships of species within genus Wiseana were not fully resolved. Analysis of a data set of thirty‐nine adult male characters from the New Zealand taxa and the Australian genera Jeana, Oxycanus and Trictena supported the monophyly of the New Zealand ‘Oxycanus’ s.s lineage.     

A new skink species (Oligosoma taumakae sp. nov.; Reptilia: Scincidae) from the Open Bay Islands,New Zealand

Abstract

We describe a new skink species (Oligosoma taumakae sp. nov.) from the Open Bay Islands, New Zealand. This species is diagnosed on the basis of several morphological characteristics, and its specific status is supported by mitochondrial sequence data (ND2, ND4). The new species appears to be most closely related to O. acrinasum, O. infra‐punctatum, O. otagense and O. waimatense. The new taxon appears to be rare and endemic to the island of Taumaka in the Open Bay Islands (off the west coast of the South Island). Predation by a flightless rail (weka, Gallirallus australis), native to New Zealand but introduced to the Open Bay Islands, is a major conservation concern.     

中国进境水果携带粉蚧疫情分析(2013—2016)

【目的】中国是水果生产大国和进口大国。水果是最容易携带虫害的产品之一,粉蚧是口岸水果检疫过程中常发现的害虫类群,中国口岸每年从进境水果截获大量粉蚧。通过分析中国进境水果携带粉蚧疫情,可为一线口岸检疫查验提供指导,为相关部门开展产地检疫和口岸监测提供依据,以防止危险性粉蚧的传入,保障中国水果生产安全,促进国际水果贸易健康发展。【方法】通过FAO网站、动植物检验检疫信息资源共享服务平台、中国知网等收集中国进境水果贸易数据及其携带粉蚧疫情,统计分析了中国水果进口贸易情况、粉蚧截获情况以及截获粉蚧的种类、来源地、截获口岸和寄主。【结果】2013—2016年,中国口岸从进境水果上截获的昆虫中粉蚧科昆虫截获量最大,占47.31%;其中截获量前十的粉蚧种类为杰克贝尔氏粉蚧、木槿曼粉蚧、双条拂粉蚧、大洋臀纹粉蚧、南洋臀纹粉蚧、柑橘棘粉蚧、甘蔗簇粉蚧、康氏粉蚧、菠萝灰粉蚧和李比利氏灰粉蚧;而这些有害生物的主要来源地为越南和泰国;粉蚧的主要截获口岸为广西、深圳和云南;而火龙果、榴莲、龙眼和山竹是截获粉蚧最多的进境水果。【结论】中国进境水果粉蚧疫情与水果的贸易量和贸易方式、输出国有害生物发生和检疫除害处理措施、口岸关注度和能力建设等情况相关。     

Paradasyhelea harrisoni n.sp. from the Auckland Islands,and additional records of subantarctic Ceratopogonidae

Abstract

A new species of Paradasyhelea Macfie is described from females found on the Auckland Islands, New Zealand, and a key is presented to separate it from its five known congeners. New distribution and habitat records are presented for the three ceratopogonid species previously reported from the subantarctic islands of New Zealand—Forcipomyia kuscheli Sublette & Wirth, F. tapleyi Ingram & Macfie, and Dasyhelea aucklandensis Sublette & Wirth.