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

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. scutell...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forests 2021-08, Vol.12 (8), p.969
Main Authors: Schröder, Michelle L., Nahrung, Helen F., de Souza, Natalia M., Lawson, Simon A., Slippers, Bernard, Wingfield, Michael J., Hurley, Brett P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Anaphes nitens
Biological control
Centrodora damoni
Collections
Cryptic species
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Eggs
Ethanol
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus pest
Euderus sp
Females
Gene sequencing
Geographical distribution
Gonipterus
Gonipterus scutellatus species complex
Identification
Insects
Males
Mitochondrial DNA
Morphology
Parasitoids
Pests
Species composition
Success
Taxonomy
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1999-4907
1999-4907
DOI:10.3390/f12080969