Distribution of Gonipterus Species and Their Egg Parasitoids in Australia: Implications for Biological Control

Abstract

Gonipterus species are pests of Eucalyptus plantations worldwide. The egg parasitoid wasp Anaphes nitens is used in many countries for the biological control of Gonipterus spp. Recent taxonomic studies have shown that the three invasive Gonipterus spp., which were previously considered as G. scutellatus, form part of a cryptic species complex. These taxonomic changes have implications for the biological control of Gonipterus spp. The aims of this study were to understand the species composition and distribution of Gonipterus spp. and their egg parasitoids in Australia. Gonipterus spp. adults and egg capsules were collected in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. Adult Gonipterus were identified using morphology and DNA barcoding. Parasitoids were reared from Gonipterus egg capsules and identified. Thirteen Gonipterus species were collected: twelve species were found on the Australian mainland and one species in Tasmania. These included three described species, four previously recognized but undescribed species, two undescribed species and four unidentified species. Five egg parasitoid species that attack Gonipterus spp. were identified. Anaphes nitens, Centrodora damoni and Euderus sp. were identified on the Australian mainland and A. tasmaniae and A. inexpectatus were identified in Tasmania. The results from this study will contribute to the improvement of Gonipterus biological control in the future.

Actions for Monitoring the Gonipterus Pest in Eucalyptus on the Cantabrian Coast

“…Commercial forest plantations require an assessment of the state of health of the tree stand in regard to the presence of insect pests and disease [50]. The eucalyptus weevil has for many years been controlled through the use of its parasitoid [51] with different results [52]. In spite of this, very few studies have evaluated its effects in eucalyptus stands.…”

Comparison of the biology, ecology and potential pest impacts of the eucalypt-defoliating leaf beetles <i>Paropsisterna cloelia</i> and <i>Paropsis charybdis</i> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in New Zealand

“…cloelia phenology, temperaturedependent development and biology is crucial for the selection of appropriate and effective biological control agents. A number of studies have now concluded that biological control effectiveness relies on matching the parasitoid with its target species (Gerard et al 2021;Rowbottom et al 2013;Schröder et al 2021;Zilahi-Balogh et al 2012). As shown above, there are some prospects for advancing classical biological control of Pst.…”

The survival, development, and reproduction of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the main Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) genotypes planted in Brazil

“…Damage by G. platensis is low in Australia because of the natural resistance of Eucalyptus species and the suppression of this pest by a diversity of natural enemies ( Valente et al, 2017 ; Valente et al, 2019 ; Afonso et al, 2019 ). However, this insect causes severe damage on exotic Eucalyptus species in some African, American, and European countries ( Reis et al, 2012 ; Souza et al, 2016 ; Valente et al, 2018 ; Schröder et al, 2020 ), resulting in a constant search for alternatives to control this pest ( Nascimento et al., 2017 ; Damascena et al, 2020 ; Schröder et al, 2021 ).…”