@article {11149,
	title = {Distribution ot the clover root weevil biocontrol agent in the North Island of New Zealand},
	journal = {New Zealand Plant Protection},
	volume = {61},
	year = {2008},
	month = {2008},
	pages = {24-30},
	type = {Article; Meeting paper},
	abstract = {The Irish wasp Microctonus aethiopoides was released in 2006 as a biocontrol agent for the clover root weevil Sitona lepidus, a serious pest of white clover in New Zealand. Following successful establishment, two strategies were implemented to accelerate the widespread establishment of the parasitoid throughout the North Island. The first approach was the establishment of regional nursery sites that act as point Sources for natural and assisted dispersal. With the assistance of Regional Councils and major landowners, these were set up at sites favourable to the wasp, and local people were provided the training and support to undertake collections and distribution of parasitized weevils. Secondly, samples of parasitized weevils were distributed for release directly to farmers through pastoral industry networks and events. Initial results indicate that while the parasitoid established rapidly at Taranaki and Waikato nursery sites as anticipated, it has failed to establish in Northland in two successive seasons.},
	keywords = {Sitona lepidus},
	isbn = {1175-9003},
	author = {Gerard, P. J. and Eden, T. M. and Wilson, D. J. and Burch, G.}
}
@article {10801,
	title = {The effect of parasitism on clover root weevil flight capability},
	journal = {New Zealand Plant Protection},
	volume = {61},
	year = {2008},
	month = {2008},
	pages = {31-34},
	type = {Article; Meeting paper},
	abstract = {The Irish strain of Microctonus aethiopoides was released in New Zealand in 2006 to help suppress populations of the clover pest, clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus). A study was undertaken to determine if this parasitoid will be passively dispersed through flight activity by parasitized hosts. In the laboratory, Irish M. aethiopoides parasitized equally hosts with or without flight muscles and subsequent presence of parasitoid eggs or first instar larvae had no effect on the propensity for S. lepidus to prepare to take flight during laboratory observations. In the field, significantly fewer clover root weevil with flight muscles were found to be parasitized compared to those without flight muscles, and those that were parasitized contained predominantly eggs and first instar larvae. The results were compared with other Microctonus biocontrol agents released in New Zealand and it was concluded that passive dispersal should play a major role in dispersing Irish M. aethiopoides in New Zealand, especially in warm, dry summers.},
	keywords = {Sitona lepidus},
	isbn = {1175-9003},
	author = {Eden, T. M. and Donald, M. and Gerard, P. J.}
}
