Notes on the biology, distribution, biosecurity status and history in New Zealand of Macrotrachelianigronitens (Stal, 1860) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae).

ABSTRACT: Macrotrachelianigronitens (Stål, 1860) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is permanently present in the wild in Auckland (AK), New Zealand. It should therefore be added to the New Zealand Organisms Register (NZOR). It is a specialised predator of thrips inside leaf-roll galls. It has been present in New Zealand since at least the 1980s. Aspects of its biology, distribution, biosecurity status and history in New Zealand are discussed. The first detailed specimen records from New Zealand are provided, and a biological association is noted for the first time with Teuchothripsdisjunctus on Callistemon, probably its main association in New Zealand, where only two species of thrips cause leaf-roll galls. It has not been found associated with other thrips in New Zealand. Macrotrachelianigronitens is not

SUBMITTER: Thorpe SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4031433 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature