case history about rodolia cardinalis

Case history about Rodolia cardinalis

V.GOWTHAM2016600504

Agrl. EntomologyTamil Nadu Agricultural University

O In California 1868, the cottony cushion scale was a new pest attacking citrus, pear, and acacia in southern California.

O By 1880, it had spread all over California and was seriously damaging citrus orchards wherever it occurred. In 1886, frustrated growers were pulling out or burning citrus trees because they couldn’t control this pest.

O Entomologists guessed that the scale was from Australia, the country from which much of the citrus had been imported.

1888 to 1889 The Cottony Cushion Scale

Project

O C.V. Riley (Chief of the Division of Entomology, USDA) employed Albert Koebele and D.W. Coquillett in research on control of the cottony cushion scale.

O In 1888, Albert Koebele was sent to search for natural enemies in the guise of attending the International Exposition in Melbourne.

Albert Koebele

O In actuality, Koebele barely attended the meeting and instead traveled throughout Australia searching for natural enemies for this project.

O The most promising natural enemies Koebele found were a parasitic fly (Cryptochaetum iceryae) and a lady beetle (Rodolia cardinalis).

O Rodolia cardinalis (Origin: Australia)

O Albert Koebele sent -12,000 individuals of Cryptochaetum iceryae and 514 individuals of Rodolia cardinalis.

O By 1890, all infestations of the cottony cushion scale were completely decimated, the citrus industry was saved, and the total control program had cost less than $5,000, including salaries.

O The delighted Californians honored Mr. Koebele by giving him a gold watch and his wife received a pair of diamond earrings.

1888

-18891930

Egypt

South Africa Australia

California

INDIA

In India

O 1928 - Icerya purchasi was first reported from Nilgris (Tamil Nadu) on Wattle, rose, citrus, Acacia decurrens, and other Acacia spp.

O The coccinellid beetle, Rodolia cardinalis (Origin: Australia) was introduced to India in 1926 via USA (California) and South Africa and in 1930 via Egypt for the control of Icerya purchasi.

O The beetle was released in the Nilgiris in 1930 and it successfuly controlled I. purchasi.

O In 1941, the pest assumed serious proportions and spread to upper Palni hills (Tamil Nadu), was managed again.

O R. cardinalis was also liberated against I. purchasi on casuarina in Nileshwar (Kerala) resulting in quick control.

O This predator has been effective against Icerya aegyptiaca and I. seychellarum on some of the Pacific Islands and it would be easy to introduce it wherever Icerya spp. have spread and the predator is absent.

O Release of 8-10 beetles on each of the moderately infested plant has been suggested whenever required.

Countries year Target pest

Hawaii 1890 cottonycushion scale

Mexico 1890 cottonycushion scale

Egypt 1902 cottonycushion scale

Japan 1922 cottonycushion scale

Samoa 1953 cottonycushion scale

Portugal 2008 cottonycushion scale

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

2002 cottonycushion scale

ReferenceO Ann E . Hajek. (2004). Natural Enemies An

Introduction to Biological Control. pp 41-43.O Caltagirone. L. E., R. L. Doutt. (1989).

The History of the Vedalia Beetle Importation to California and its Impact on the Development of Biological Control. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 34:1-16

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