Towards sustainable controls of pasture pests: Progress on control of Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel))

Abstract

Pastures in the northern North Island contain a complex of nationally distributed insects and insects associated with warmer climatic conditions. Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel)) is the most important insect pest in New Zealand. Progress toward the development of sustainable control of Argentine stem weevil is basedon a thorough understanding of the population ecology of the pest.The population size of Argentine stem weevil depends on the number of Acremonium lolii-free ryegrass tillers in the sward. Identification of A. lolii-free ryegrasses that are tolerant/resistant to Argentine stem weevil may improve ryegrass production and persistence without endangering animal health. The release of a South American parasite and the utilisation of naturally occurring pathogenic fungi together with tolerant/resistant ryegrasses has the potential to provide long term sustainable control of Argentine stem weevil in pastures . Keywords: endophyte, plant resistance,pathogens, biological control