Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2009
Between 1987 and 1989, three predatory beetle species (Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus), C. infernalis (Linnaeus) and C. cacti (Linnaeus)) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and two predatory mite species (Hemisarcoptes coccophagus Meyer and H. cooremani Thomas) were imported and released for the biological control of armoured scale insects (Hemiberlesia rapax Comstock, H. lataniae Signoret and Aspidiotus nerii Bouché) on kiwifruit and shelter trees in New Zealand. Hemisarcoptes coccophagus has established on Hemiberlesia lataniae infestations on Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra var. Italica) shelter trees at three sites. Detailed studies at one of the release sites over a period spanning nine to 24 months after release, showed that densities of Hemiberlesia lataniae in samples with mites fell to less than 20% of the level in control trees. Assessment of the dispersion characteristics of the mite suggested that the adults are repelled by the presence of other mites on a host. Hemisarcoptes coccophagus can use two species of New Zealand ladybirds (Scymnus fagus Broun and Halmus chalybeus Boisduval) for phoresy. Hemisarcoptes coccophagus spread naturally to the control trees between 20 and 24 months after release, though the means of dispersal between trees is not known.