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A European pest to control a New Zealand weed: investigating the safety of heather beetle, Lochmaea suturalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of heather, Calluna vulgaris

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

P. Syrett ,
L.A. Smith ,
T.C. Bourner ,
S.V. Fowler  and
A. Wilcox
P. Syrett*
Affiliation:
Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln, New Zealand
L.A. Smith
Affiliation:
Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln, New Zealand
T.C. Bourner
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology, Massey University, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand
S.V. Fowler
Affiliation:
CABI Bioscience, Silwood Park, Ascot, SL5 7TA, UK
A. Wilcox
Affiliation:
CABI Bioscience, Silwood Park, Ascot, SL5 7TA, UK
*
*Fax: +64 3 325 2418 E-mail: syrettp@landcare.cri.nz
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Abstract

Heather, Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, is a serious invasive weed in the central North Island of New Zealand, especially in Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage Area. Heather beetle, Lochmaea suturalis (Thomson), is a foliage-feeding pest of Calluna in Europe, that was selected as the most promising biological control agent for introduction into New Zealand, because it causes high levels of damage to Calluna in Europe. Host-range tests indicated that L. suturalisposes a negligible threat to native New Zealand plants. Cultivars of Callunagrown as ornamentals are suitable food plants, but are unlikely to be severely affected because L. suturalis requires a damp understorey of moss or litter for successful oviposition and pupation, which is rarely present in gardens. However, mosses and litter occurring under Calluna stands in Tongariro National Park are suitable substrates for eggs and pupae. Lochmaea suturalis released in New Zealand has been freed of parasitoids and a microsporidian disease that attack the beetles in Europe.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 90 , Issue 2 , April 2000 , pp. 169 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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