Survey for potencial biocontrol agents for moth plant in New Zealand and Argentina.

N. W. WAIPARA, C. J. WINKS, A. F. GIANOTTI, C. V. VILLAMIL, S. C. VILLAMIL, R. DELHEY, M. KIEHR, M. G. TRAVERSA & CARPINTERO, D. L.

New Zealand Plant Protection

New Zealand Plant Protection Society

Lugar: Wairakei Resort, Taupo; Año: 2006 p. 18 - 22

1175-9003

Moth plant, Araujia sericifera, is an environmental weed in northern regions of New Zealand. Due to its rapid spread, its ability to cause substantial damage to natural ecosystems and the increasing cost of conventional control methods, a biological control programme was initiated. A survey of the plant in New Zealand found that damage attributed to either disease or insect herbivory was minimal with little biocontrol potential. Botanical, pathogen and insect surveys were subsequently initiated in the native South American range to locate and identify potential agents for classical biocontrol. Potential agents associated with plant damage were collected. Damage was mostly due to pathogenic attack with 90% of moth plant populations showing disease symptoms. To date, eight fungal pathogens have been associated with plant die back, leaf necroses and a severe fruit rot. At least two mosaic (virus) diseases were also found, frequently associated with colonies of the aphid, Aphis nerii.