Anaphes nitens female on a Gonipterus sp. n. 2 egg capsules. Image by Dr Michelle Schroder
The Eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus sp. n. 2 remains a major pest of Eucalyptus plantations in South Africa despite the historical success of the biological control program. Increasing genetic diversity of the biological control agent, Anaphes nitens,is one way in which the biological control of Gonipterus can be strengthened. This can be achieved by releasing additional populations of Anaphes nitens collected from regions that are climatically similar to the outbreak regions in South Africa.