New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
The insect fauna of four weedy Hieracium (Asteraceae) species in New
Zealand
P. SYRETT
L. A. SMITH
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand
Abstract Hieracium pilosella,
H. praealtum,
H. caespitosum, and
H. lepidulum (hawkweeds) are serious weeds of
New Zealand grasslands. A programme to develop biological control of hawkweeds
with insects and a pathogen began in 1992. It first required a survey of the
four weed species to determine the identity and seasonal distribution of
insects occurring naturally on them. Seventy-six phytophagous species were
recorded, including native and exotic polyphagous and oligophagous insects.
Insect species that were widely distributed and numerous on all four plant
species included
Nysius huttoni and several
Rhypodes spp.
(Lygaeidae),
Carystoterpa fingens and
Philaenus spumarius
(Cercopidae),
Aulacorthum solani,
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
and
Myzus persicae (Aphididae), and
Zygina zelandica
(Cicadellidae). Different groups of insects reached peak abundance at different
times between mid December and mid March. From the damage observed it seems
unlikely that insects already present in New Zealand can control the plants.
None of the specialised European
Hieracium fauna was found.
Keywords Hieracium pilosella; H. praealtum;
H. caespitosum; H. lepidulum; hawkweed; insect fauna; Nysius
huttoni; Rhypodes; Carystoterpa fingens; Philaenus
spumarius
Received 19 March 1997; accepted 3 October 1997
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 1998, Vol. 25: 73-83
0301-4223/2501-073 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1998
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (814K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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