Behavioural ecology and host-parasitoid interactions of the recently introduced biocontrol agent Cotesia urabae. Gonzalo Avila

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1 Behavioural ecology and host-parasitoid interactions of the recently introduced biocontrol agent Cotesia urabae Gonzalo Avila Better Border Biosecurity (B3) Theme 1: Risk assessment B3 Conference, May 2014

2 Acknowledgements Dr. Gregory Holwell EEB lab Dr. Toni Withers Forest Protection staff Funding sources:

3 Gonzalo Avila Doctoral Candidate - Biological Sciences. University of Auckland MSc in Biosecurity and Conservation (Forest Protection) University of Auckland Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Biosecurity) University of Auckland Forest Engineering degree. University of Chile Bachelor of Forestry Science. University of Chile

4 Biological Control of U. lugens The gum leaf skeletoniser (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) Australian moth in New Zealand since 1990s Permission to release the biocontrol agent Cotesia urabae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was given in 2010 First releases started in January 2011

5 Biological Control of U. lugens The agent: Cotesia urabae (Braconidae) Solitary larval endoparasitoid from Australia Attacks range of sizes of U. lugens larvae, but most successful in early instars, gregarious clusters Only ever recorded from Uraba lugens

6 PhD research Main aims: Assess physiological host range of C. urabae on non-targets Study the host searching behaviour of C. urabae, how they locate their hosts, to improve our understanding of host range testing in quarantine laboratory environments Study the parasitoid s mating behaviour in order to improve the mass-rearing process

7 Ecological vs Physiological host

8 Physiological host range of C. urabae Before EPA approved the release, considerable host range testing was conducted in Containment. Lisa Berndt and her team at Scion tested it against 8 nontarget caterpillars, a long and intensive project In some cases many non-target caterpillars died before proving whether they were physiological hosts or not Only two Metacrias sp. reared the parasitoid to a pupa None to adult wasp

9 To reduce this uncertainty Aim: Define with more certainty the physiological host range of C. urabae on non-targets Objectives: Re-assess potential non-target caterpillars as hosts in the laboratory via no-choice tests If any ARE physiological hosts, we can then increase the realism through field cage or field tests, to assess the likelihood of them being ecological hosts in the field

10 Physiological host range testing Species chosen from the subjective PRONTI model output host testing list specifically for Cotesia urabae Celama parvitis, Tyria jacobaeae and Nyctemera annulata Pseudocoremia suavis (added a new non-target to test)

11 Research conducted to date Species Noctuidae subfamily Status Host Reason for inclusion Celama parvitis Nolinae Endemic Heliochrysum lanceolatum shrub (Asteraceae) Same subfamily This non-target species C. parvitis is not a physiological host Agrees with the original host range testing

12 Research conducted to date Species Tyria jacobaeae (Cinnabar moth) Noctuidae subfamily Arctiinae Status Host Reason for inclusion Introduced biocontrol agent Ragwort Closely related subfamily This non-target species T. jacobaeae is not a physiological host Agrees with the original host range testing

13 Research conducted to date Species Nyctemera annulata (Magpie moth) Māori: Mokarakara, Noctuidae subfamily Status Host Reason for inclusion Arctiinae Endemic Ragwort, Brachyglottis, Cineraria etc Closely related subfamily This nontarget species N. annulata IS a physiological host Survival rate is significantly lower than on the target U. lugens NEW information since the original host range testing Now have a model system to test the likelihood of attack under greater realism in field cages = ascertain ecological host range

14 Future intentions To work in the field of forest entomology Continue research in a government agency, CRI, University or in private industry...any future job offer or Post-Doc on Entomology, I M ALL EARS!!!

15 Questions